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Unhappy Bent set to spearhead UEFA Cup push
Tom Collomosse17 Feb 2009
Tottenham will be forced to rely on unsettled striker Darren Bent to spearhead their attack at Shakhtar Donetsk.
Jermain Defoe has a foot injury, while fellow strikers Robbie Keane and Roman Pavlyuchenko are both ineligible for the UEFA Cup tie, having already represented other clubs in European competition this season.
Their absence leaves boss Harry Redknapp little choice but to play Bent, who recently went public with frustrations about his situation.
Bent questioned his manager's selection policy and claimed the decision to bring back former strikers Defoe and Keane last month was "strange". The 25-year-old, who remains a target for Sunderland, also admitted that he may be forced to leave in the summer due to a lack of first-team opportunities.
Despite spending close to £50m in the January window, Redknapp is already lining up transfer targets for the new campaign, with Serbian midfielder Darko Lazovic thought to be close to agreeing a £500,000 summer move to White Hart Lane.
The 18-year-old has already played for his country at senior level and had trials with both Spurs and Hertha Berlin last month. Club coach Ljubisa Dmitrovic said: "As far as I know, he got the thumbs up from Tottenham."
Spurs are also keen to bring in a left-back next summer, with Marseille's Nigerian international Taye Taiwo a target .
Reader views (5)
Darren Bent , get out whilst you can ! Harry Houdini for all his positives also has the unmistakable ability to waste money on transfers. He gets 1 in 4 correct and the three others will eat up extravagant wages playing reserves , He has done it at pompey and will do moreso to the cash friendly spurs. Bents better off looking for first team football , hes scored all year and Harry still wants to buy more strikers.
- Andrew, Sydney Australia, 19/02/2009 01:55
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Actually, Robgooner, Defoe didn't walk, he was pushed.
- Paul, London, 18/02/2009 09:37
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I am amazed at Tottenhams treatment of Darren Bent, who is after all their top scorer! The fans appear to worship Keane & Defoe who walked out on them, with Keane only returning after failing miserably at Liverpool.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 17/02/2009 17:08
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I totally agree, we have as good young players than any other club, they are good enough and hungry to play for the 1st team, some are better than present over paid stars at the club! Look at Jamie O'Hara, typical example..
- Adrian, london, 17/02/2009 13:36
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THIS LAD SHOULD PLAY AND ALSO OBIKA AND A FEW OTHER PLAYERS BECAUSE ROBBIE CANT LAY IN THE FINAL AND CAMPBELL .WE HAVE MPOKU MASON TOWNSEND PERRETT AND A FEW OTHERS WE SHOULD LIKE EVERTON AND ARSENAL BLOOD SOME YOUNGSTERS IN THE UFA CUP
- Davspurs, WIDNES ENGLAND, 17/02/2009 11:41
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