With Harry Redknapp desperate to overhaul his squad in this month's transfer window, tonight's FA Cup third-round tie against Wigan is the last chance for some Tottenham players to convince their manager they can be a part of his plans.

Redknapp has already made clear his desire to make changes, admitting the club have bid for West Ham striker Craig Bellamy and that he would like to bring back Jermain Defoe to White Hart Lane from Portsmouth.

The Spurs manager, who returns to the FA Cup after leading Portsmouth to victory at Wembley last season, is also keen to strengthen his defence and midfield.

A number of existing stars, therefore, will be anxious about their future at the club, with Redknapp reportedly having told chairman Daniel Levy that some of those signed last summer are not good enough to help Spurs survive in the Premier League.

Giovani Dos Santos, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Hossam Ghaly are likely candidates for the exit door but the clear-out could be far more wide-ranging.

While midfielder Didier Zokora and goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes have been linked with transfers, another player who will see tonight's match as an opportunity to end speculation about his position is left-back Gareth Bale.

Since joining Spurs from Southampton as a 17-year-old for an initial £5million in the summer of 2007, Bale's career has not really taken off - and he has still to finish on the winning side in the League for the club in 19 appearances.

The Wales international missed the second half of last season through injury and this term has found it difficult to force his way into the team, with Redknapp preferring to use Benoit Assou-Ekotto at left-back.

Middlesbrough remain keen on Bale and, with Redknapp interested in their winger Stewart Downing, it has been suggested that he could be allowed to head to the North East.

But with Assou-Ekotto suspended for the next four matches following his sending off in the 2-0 defeat by West Brom on December 28, Bale now has the perfect opportunity to prove that he is indispensable.

Marking Wigan winger Antonio Valencia out of the match would be an excellent start.

The Ecuador international has been one of the best right-sided players in England this season and has even become a target for Real Madrid.

At least publicly, Redknapp insists he is happy to call on the club's fringe players.

He said: "They are here and they can all play. I have to keep these players because we do not have enough of them. They have all been included in training over Christmas and New Year because they are all I have.

"I know exactly who I would want in the transfer window if I could get them. If we can't get them or they are too expensive, as some of them seem to be, then we won't bother and we'll crack on with what we've got and find someone else."

While top-flight survival is the priority for Spurs, Redknapp would ideally like a strong run in the FA Cup after becoming the first English manager since 1995 to lift the trophy last season.

But with the club facing a Carling Cup semi-final against Burnley and a last-32 UEFA Cup tie against Shakhtar Donetsk also on the horizon, Redknapp acknowledged that something may have to give.

He said: "There are a lot of games - too many. They are coming thick and fast and there is no time to get your breath. With a squad of this size, we are fighting on too many fronts.

"If we were sitting in the top half, maybe we wouldn't be bothered but when we are where we are, we could do without all these games.

"But having said that, it would be lovely to have a good run in the FA Cup this year and this team have a chance."

With the game to be played tonight to allow live television coverage, Redknapp will be free to go to Loftus Road tomorrow to cast his eye over Burnley in their third-round tie against Queens Park Rangers.

The free weekend will also give him the chance to check on the progress of the club's transfer targets.

Spurs will certainly be hoping for rapid progress over Defoe, after his club indicated they would not stand in the England striker's way if he wants to return to White Hart Lane.

Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie said: "It looks like Jermain wants to go. That is something we will be speaking to him about but if Jermain goes, it will be at our price."

Pompey want up to £20m for Defoe, whom they signed from Spurs for £7.5m 12 months ago, but Spurs are still owed £4m from the deal and hope to agree to bring back Defoe for £12m.

Despite Gomes's recent improvement, Spurs remain interested in Newcastle's Shay Given.

The Republic of Ireland international's lawyer, Michael Kennedy, has released a statement indicating that his client is ready to leave St James' Park.

Kennedy said: "'Having served the club loyally for over 11 years, Shay feels compelled to consider his position in the light of the interest being expressed in him by Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham."

Kennedy also said Given was looking for a club to "challenge for major honours", so whether he will view 16th-placed Spurs as a better option than Newcastle remains to be seen.