Baby Becks gives Harry Redknapp a lift ahead of real thing's arrival

Jumping for joy: Andros Townsend celebrates scoring Tottenham’s opening goal
David Smith11 April 2012

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has hailed the big time arrival of Baby Becks' Andros Townsend after the teenage prospect marked his first- team debut with a sensational performance on the right wing and the opening goal in a 3-0 defeat of Charlton.

In the absence from White Hart Lane of David Beckham, whose deal to train with Spurs will begin tomorrow if the England midfielder passes medical tests later today, it was 19-year-old Townsend who provided more than adequate compensation.

Redknapp was delighted with everything that Townsend contributed towards a win that earned Spurs a fourth-round tie away at Fulham at the end of the month, saying: "Andros was fantastic, I'm really pleased for him.

"He's a good lad, he's got a good attitude. He wants to be a player and he works hard, coming in on his days off to train. If there were a few more around like him we'd be good."

A strong work ethic is what has made 35-year-old Beckham such an enduring player and fellow East Ender Townsend, whose football education has so far embraced loan spells with Yeovil Town, Leyton Orient, MK Dons and Ipswich, is bound to benefit from the England international's presence at Tottenham's Chigwell training ground.

Townsend, born in the same Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone as his hero, said: "It would be a massive boost to have probably England's best-ever player training with us. He could teach me a lot. He could teach anyone in English football a lot."

A deal with LA Galaxy will initially last until 10 February but it could extend into March if chairman Daniel Levy can reach a suitable agreement with the MLS club. Initial claims that a problem over insurance cover had scuppered the prospect of Beckham playing in a Spurs shirt were dismissed by Redknapp — it is understood that Beckham may pay the premium as he did while on loan at AC Milan.

But it is believed that agreement still needs to be reached between Spurs and Galaxy over Beckham's reported wages of £80,000 a week and image rights. Spurs will want any playing period to be made worth their while because a first-team squad of 25 has to be registered with the Premier League on 31 January. Under the current arrangement Beckham would only be available to play in four League games plus the Fulham FA Cup tie.

One source suggested that an extended loan contract until the start of the new MLS season on 15 March will be signed but the apparent delay in formalising a deal is a convenience that means Beckham will not have to face the prospect of making his Spurs debut against former club Manchester United at the Lane on Sunday.

Redknapp said: "I'm not sure what the issues are. I just said I would like Beckham to come here and play and then suddenly there were some problems. Hopefully it could happen."

Whatever Beckham may, or may not, contribute to Spurs, more pertinent to the team's longer-term interests was the two goals contributed by former Charlton player Jermain Defoe.

Like Townsend, who fired Spurs into a 49th-minute lead from 20 yards, Defoe benefited from the half-time introduction of Luka Modric and his brace will ease the frustration of a season beset by injury and suspension.

Redknapp said: "It was good to see Jermain back. Hopefully he'll have a good second half of the season. It could make a big difference to us."

That will serve as a warning to Fulham, who secured their place in the fourth round with a 6-2 demolition of Peterborough at Craven Cottage.

Spurs assistant manager Kevin Bond said: "Obviously they played their strongest side possible and we will expect nothing but their strongest possible side when we play them."

It was tight and tough for Spurs in the first half yesterday as a starting line-up featuring nine changes from the side that lost at Everton in midweek failed to gel against League One opposition.

Keith Peacock, the 65-year-old in caretaker charge following the dismissal of Phil Parkinson, said the introduction of Modric made all the difference.

"As soon as I saw who was coming on the pitch I knew we would have a problem," he said: "You love to see Modric on the ball when you're watching, but not when he's against you."

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