Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will have to take a chance with Jonathan Woodgate for Wednesday's Premier League clash with Blackburn as injuries hit the centre of his defence. Redknapp's defensive crisis means he has no other option than to gamble on Woodgate despite the defender not having played since November 2009.
Redknapp added: "We have some key, very important players missing.
"Michael Dawson got sent off at the weekend, Younes Kaboul was in great form and then he was sent off for against Newcastle at home and now he has to have an operation on his knee so he's out.
"Gareth Bale and Tom Huddlestone are both missing. They are big players for us so we have been pushed into pushing Woodgate in way ahead of what I should be because we have problems with the squad."
Woodgate returned to light training and has played in two practice matches against Charlton and QPR last month.
"It's a massive gamble for me the club and for Woody for sure," Redknapp admitted.
"He has not played a game yet of any significance but he is in my mind because he is such a fantastic player.
"I'm dreaming that he can come in and be somewhere near what he was straight away which is not easy."
