Harry Redknapp today backed the misfiring Aaron Lennon to shake off his slump in form ahead of Tottenham's Champions League clash with FC Twente.
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England winger Lennon has failed to hit the heights since returning from almost four months out with a groin injury back in April, enduring a miserable World Cup and a poor start to the current season.
The 23-year-old has found himself substituted in most of his club's games this term, while he has also been frozen out by national team boss Fabio Capello.
Spurs manager Redknapp must decide whether to start Lennon in Wednesday night's Group A clash or play the in-form Rafael van der Vaart out wide. But regardless of his team selection against the Dutch champions, Redknapp is certain Lennon will eventually come good.
"He's had the injury and he had a quiet World Cup, really," Redknapp said.
"I think he's getting over the injury from last season. But he's a matchwinner on his day and it's very hard to be consistent when you play out in that wide position, when you've got to beat people every week and people expect you to get the ball and go whizzing past full-backs, cross balls.
"Full-backs now are as quick as wingers, they get tight, they stop you getting the ball. You've got to work very hard to get on the ball now when you play in that wide position. It's not always easy but he'll come good."
Despite his concerns over Lennon, Redknapp's real worry lies at the back, where he has just one fully fit recognised centre-half in Sebastien Bassong. He may risk captain Ledley King, but if not, Vedran Corluka will continue in the heart of defence.
Redknapp believes his current injury worries have not helped his side as they have struggled to balance their Champions League and Barclays Premier League commitments.
"The biggest problem you have is probably getting the players up for the Premier League games after the Champions League," said Redknapp, whose side have won just two of their six league matches this term.
"You have to juggle around your team, I've found and when you keep changing your team, it makes it difficult to get continuity.
"We've had to do that an awful lot - change the team - probably through injury more than anything, especially in the back."
Source: DSG
Source: DSG