Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp says he will now need to purchase a key centre-back.

Recent injuries to Spurs defenders has prompted Redknapp to keep lookout for a potential suitor but now the situation is more dire than first thought and a central defender is now a priority.

"We weren't thinking of buying anyone in defence but suddenly this problem has come up all of a sudden and it leaves us short," said Redknapp.

"Suddenly your priorities change and you think maybe we'll have to do something about getting a centre-half in for the start of the season because we have no central defenders."

Defenders Michael Dawson, Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King are the players currently sidelined with injury.