Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp was encouraged by Rafael van der Vaart's debut in their 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion.
Redknapp is just disappointed he has to wait 10 weeks to pair the injured Jermain Defoe with his brilliant new playmaker.
He said: "We saw enough on his debut to see Van der Vaart's quality. He's a proper player, isn't he?
"Defoe gives us something else - we haven't got someone else with that sharpness around the box.
"I could see him playing with Van der Vaart, like he played with Rooney when he got his goals for England."
Redknapp switched from his favoured 4-4-2 formation to play Van der Vaart in 'the Rooney position' just off the main striker.
In the absence of Defoe, Roman Pavlyuchenko played up front at The Hawthorns.
The Spurs boss added: "Yeah, it suits Van der Vaart, that position. I could see Defoe playing with this fella.
"This fella would drop deep and slide little balls in for him to score, like Rooney.
"So it's a big blow to lose Defoe now."
