William Gallas has handed Tottenham a boost by announcing he is fit to feature in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final showdown against Chelsea.
Frenchman set to ease Redknapp's defensive woes
Tottenham defender William Gallas has handed Spurs a boost by announcing he is fit to feature in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final showdown against Chelsea at Wembley.
Gallas was absent for Monday's 2-1 Premier League defeat against Norwich after a calf problem kept him on the sidelines.
However the French centre-back, who last appeared at Sunderland on April 7th, is set to return to action against his former club this weekend.
He said on Friday: "I'm fit to play again and I'm coming back to the squad."
The 34-year-old is expected to slot straight into Harry Redknapp's starting line-up at Wembley to ease the manager's defensive concerns.
An injury crisis means Tottenham have only two fully-fit central defenders, Gallas and Ryan Nelsen, who have a combined age of 68.
Ruled out
Younes Kaboul has been ruled out with a knee injury he suffered against Norwich on Monday, while Ledley King's chronic knee problem makes him a serious doubt - he cannot play more than one game a week and started against Norwich - and Michael Dawson is out for the season with an ankle problem.
"Younes Kaboul did his knee last week so he is not available," said Redknapp.
Bongani Khumalo, a South Africa defender signed in January 2011, is another option for the manager, although the 25-year-old is yet to make an appearance for Spurs and struggled to break in to the first teams of Preston and Reading during two separate loan spells.
Redknapp looks likely to have captain Scott Parker available after he missed Monday's defeat, but the Spurs boss' options from the bench have been limited by a knee injury to Niko Kranjcar, who was hobbling around Tottenham's training ground with a brace on his right leg on Friday.
He added: "Niko Kranjcar picked up a knee injury in midweek. He won't be available at the weekend. I have one or two little knocks as well."
