Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admits Paolo di Canio was a favourite of his at West Ham United.

Redknapp says he signed a couple of hard-men to protect the Italian star.

He told the Daily Mail: "Paolo Di Canio was a favourite. I used to always make sure he was on the winning side in training.

"I'd make sure Stuart Pearce and Nigel Winterburn were on his team so nobody kicked him. But he was brilliant."