Spurs face defensive crisis for Real clash

Posted Friday, April 01, 2011 by UK.eurosport.yahoo.com

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is facing up to the prospect of taking on one of the most feared attacks in world football with just two fit central defenders

Just five days ahead of the club's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid, Spurs have been plunged into an injury crisis in defence.

Redknapp revealed on Thursday that club captain Ledley King requires a second operation on the groin problem that has kept him out of action since October, while William Gallas suffered a knee injury that could rule him out of Tuesday's game at the Bernabeu.

With Younes Kaboul out with a thigh strain and Jonathan Woodgate sidelined by a calf injury, Redknapp only has Michael Dawson and Sebastien Bassong fit to play at Wigan this weekend.

With the biggest match in the club's history against a Real Madrid team consisting of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema just around the corner, Redknapp admits his defensive troubles are a big concern to him.

"We started the year with six central defenders here. Now we have two," Redknapp told Sky Sports News. "We have lost Ledley King, it looks like he will have to have an operation that will finish his season.

"Jonathan Woodgate was making good progress but got a calf injury in a friendly against Barnet and Younes Kaboul is still out with a thigh strain. William Gallas has been for a scan on his knee. He struggled at the weekend and we are now down to having just Michael Dawson and Sebastien Bassong."