Spur Real injuries worries

Friday, 01/04/2011

by James Willis, Shoot's Tottenham blogger

It's a big week for Tottenham coming up, as they face Europe's most successful side of all time, Real Madrid, in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Going back just over a year and many Spurs fans wouldn't have dreamed about how far they'd be right now, but the club have been bravely battling to keep their fairytale story going.

This game poses some completely different questions than the last few rounds have for Tottenham and once again the odds have been stacked up against them. Not just in terms of the club's opposition but also numerous injury worries.

Harry Redknapp has reported that he is down to just two central defenders at the moment, with Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate, William Gallas and Younes Kaboul all currently suffering minor injuries.

Kaboul has been suffering with a thigh strain, Gallas has a minor knock on his knee and is awaiting the results of a scan, King may need an operation on his groin that will keep him out until the end of the season and Woodgate suffered a calf strain in his latest comeback from injury in a Spurs XI training ground friendly.

Gareth Bale is also cause for concern as the knock he picked up before the England - Wales clash is yet to be reported on. Harry Redknapp said that while the star winger is doubtful for this weekend's Premier League match, he will have a late fitness test before the first leg at the Bernabeu.

Aaron Lennon, Spurs' other flying winger, has also suffered a minor injury during his time training with the England camp over the international break. Redknapp did however report that he had joined the squad for full training on Thursday morning, suggesting that he will be ready to play as soon as this weekend against Wigan.

Despite Spurs injury worries, Real Madrid also have some of their own to be concerned about. Cristiano Ronaldo will also face a late fitness test before the match up, although it has been reported that his injury is not as serious as first thought.

The latest worry for Madrid however, is Karim Benzema, whose recent form has been top quality for the Spanish giants. The French striker was substituted off in his country's game against Croatia last week after 75 minutes with worries that he'd picked up an injury.

After a scan, it was revealed that Benzema had suffered a contraction in his thigh and may not be fit for the Champions League clash. The usual healing time for an injury of that type is ten days, meaning that Benzema will have to face a late fitness test.

The injury does mean that Emmanuel Adebayor is almost certain to start the game however, and with his past scoring record against Tottenham during his time at Arsenal, the Spurs defence cannot rest.

Redknapp has not beaten Jose Mourinho in the manager's last five meetings, but it must be kept in mind that he was in charge of struggling Portsmouth and Southampton sides then. This game will be a whole different matter.

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