Striker woes for Redknapp's Spurs

Harry Redknapp fears he could be down to one fit striker for Tottenham's Barclays Premier League game against Blackburn on Saturday after Roman Pavlyuchenko suffered a back injury in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland.

Pavlyuchenko was forced off at half-time and was replaced by Peter Crouch, who had been left out by Redknapp.

But England striker Crouch could find himself starting out of necessity this weekend if Pavlyuchenko fails to recover and Robbie Keane is unable to return from an ankle problem.

A scan on Monday showed Keane had picked up slight ligament damage and manager Redknapp is hoping to have him available against Rovers.

"I could do with Robbie if Pavlyuchenko's got a bad back," Redknapp said.

"It leaves me with only Crouchy.

"I've got no-one else I can push up front, really, even (Aaron) Lennon, who could play through the middle at a pinch."

Redknapp felt Spurs missed the pace of Lennon and Jermain Defoe on Tuesday, with Gareth Bale his only real speed merchant at present.

"You're relying on Bale; Bale's the only one who's got real pace," said Redknapp of the winger, who saw Nedum Onuoha become the latest player to limit his impact.

"Their right-back was as quick as Gareth. The two centre-halves headed balls away; I think (Titus) Bramble's an under-rated player myself.

"Defoe would have given them problems.

"(Michael) Turner would have been happy playing against most people.

"Defoe's little and not his type of player, but he's not available."

Lennon will also miss Saturday's game with his hamstring problem.

The winger was a mere spectator last night as Rafael van der Vaart kept up his remarkable record of scoring in every one of his home games since joining Spurs on transfer deadline day.

But a horrible mix-up between William Gallas and Younes Kaboul gifted Asamoah Gyan an equaliser just three minutes later to leave the home side four points adrift of the top four having played a game more.

Last night's game was not without its flashpoints, the first coming when Howard Webb booked David Bentley for diving and the second when he only yellow-carded Lee Cattermole for a studs-first challenge on Luka Modric.

Redknapp and opposite number Steve Bruce understandably had opposing views on both incidents.

The result left Spurs level on points and goal difference with Sunderland, who have bounced back brilliantly from their Tyne-Wear derby humiliation at the hands of Newcastle.

"In some people's eyes, they'll never forgive," said Bruce, who made six changes last night.

"It's difficult; that's why I made so many changes.

"But you want a response as a manager; thankfully, they responded very, very well.

"I couldn't have asked for anything better: four points out of six."

The one bit of bad news for Bruce was that it looked like Anton Ferdinand would be spending up to three weeks sidelined with a hamstring problem.