Redknapp pledge for Defoe

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Defoe struck twice as Pompey overcame Birmingham 4-2 in the Barclays Premier League, but as he is cup-tied, he will not be facing the Baggies at Wembley.

The England forward also missed out on the Carling Cup final after deciding to leave Tottenham for Fratton Park in January, but Redknapp said: "Of course we will be taking Jermain to Wembley with us - hopefully twice."

He added: "He was the first to text me with congratulations after we'd beaten Manchester United on Saturday. That shows the team spirit we have in the camp.

"Jermain is a natural goalscorer who will get 18-20 a season. He's done it again for us."

Defoe scored twice in the first nine minutes, including a penalty, as hosts Pompey looked to be continuing the celebrations following their stunning success over United in the cup quarter-finals.

But Birmingham pegged them back and were level by half-time thanks to strikes from Fabrice Muamba and Sebastian Larsson.

It took a Hermann Hreidarsson effort to get Pompey back on track and Kanu wrapped up the win late on.

Centre-back Sylvain Distin was caught out for Birmingham's first goal and Redknapp said: "He's been with his wife all day at the hospital where she's expecting and it looked as though his concentration suffered in the game. I just hope the baby is not born on semi-final day.

"But it was nice to get four goals at home because we haven't got many here since the seven against Reading."