Striker dilemma for Redknapp

Redknapp: Selection headache

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Harry Redknapp has admitted it is a difficult decision to know which of his strikers to leave out at the moment.

The Tottenham manager's preferred combination during the early part of the Premier League season has been Jermain Defoe together with Robbie Keane.

Peter Crouch has had limited opportunities following his summer move from Portsmouth but he has impressed when called upon and scored a hat-trick against Preston in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.

Redknapp also has Russian forward Roman Pavlyuchenko at his disposal and faces a selection headache going into the weekend clash with Burnley.

"I'll have to throw darts at a dartboard," he told Hotspur magazine. "No, seriously, it's a difficult one.

"I started with Robbie and Jermain and a lot of people thought they couldn't play together, but they worked superbly and we had four fantastic results with them together.

"Crouchy, who I think an awful lot of, has been patient and Pav can score goals - a great finisher. I'm very lucky to have these four strikers."

Palacios praise

Spurs have improved considerably since Redknapp arrived at White Hart Lane last October but he believes it is the players he has brought to the club who have made the difference.

He thinks Wilson Palacios, who joined Spurs from Wigan in January, has been particularly influential.

"One or two players have made a difference here. Wilson Palacios has made a massive impact on this club - he gets on with it. He's strong, aggressive and a big player for us," said Redknapp.

"Sebastien Bassong has come in alongside the likes of Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Jonathan Woodgate, while Robbie Keane's back and he's a buzzy character around the place.

"We've brought a few players in and it has changed the mood. They see the likes of Wilson come in who work and close down and it rubs off on other people.

"You need players like that. He walks round like he's pleased to be here and appreciates everything. He's not a big-time Charlie. You need more people like that around you."

Kranjcar

Redknapp is also happy with his latest recruit after capturing Niko Kranjcar from Portsmouth on a four-year contract.

Redknapp said: "Niko's a player with great ability; a very good footballer. He can play in several positions - on the left, the right or in the middle, or even off the front man.

"He's just a terrific footballer, great on the ball, he's got everything to be a top player for us."

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