Redknapp expects Carroll to stay

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will not look to do too much business in January - and expects Andy Carroll to remain at Newcastle.

Redknapp, whose side lie fifth in the Premier League standings and visit Aston Villa tomorrow, is content with his existing squad and would only look to bolster if someone "a bit special" becomes available.

He told Sky Sports News: "We've got so many players here it would be hard fitting anybody in.

"We're not too desperate for anything. We're more than strong everywhere so unless it's someone who's a bit special I don't think we'll be doing too much.

"If someone's there that we feel can make the difference - it might just be a character or leader or somebody who can give you something at the club.

"If that type of person's available then we'd be interested, but at the moment we're not closing in on anything."

Spurs have been linked with in-form Carroll, who has bagged 10 Premier League goals for Newcastle this season, but Redknapp does not see the in-form striker leaving St James' Park.

"He's got fantastic potential," said the Tottenham boss. "He's a top player, no doubt - he's a real handful and he's taken the Premier League by storm the first half of the season.

"If he was available I think there'd be plenty of people want him because he's an old-fashioned centre-forward, but I see [Newcastle manager] Alan Pardew wants to keep him and I don't blame him so I don't see him moving."

Redknapp's attempts to move his side back into the top four over the festive period have been boosted by the news that Rafael van der Vaart is fit again after missing the last three weeks with a hamstring problem.

With games against Villa, Newcastle, Fulham and Everton coming up in the space of 11 days, Redknapp knows the festive period will be a crucial part of Spurs' season and still believes his side still have an outside chance of winning the title despite sitting in fifth position, seven points behind Manchester United.

"There are a lot of points at stake over this period and if you can get a good haul of points it makes a massive difference," he said.

"The title race is open.

"Manchester United and Chelsea would be favourites, Arsenal have a big chance, and Manchester City are going to push all the way but don't write Tottenham off."