Saha: Still has goals in him

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Redknapp has faith in Saha

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is confident Louis Saha can still do the job after signing the veteran striker from Everton.

The deadline-day swoop surprised many as the north Londoners brought in the Frenchman on a short-term deal until the end of the season as a replacement for Roman Pavlyuchenko, who has returned to his homeland with Lokomotiv Moscow in an £8million deal.

Saha, who only scored once in 18 Premier League appearances for the Toffees this term, was in the final six months of his contract at Goodison Park and has subsequently been allowed to leave for White Hart Lane, with Steven Pienaar returning to Merseyside on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Redknapp would appear to be taking a gamble on the injury-prone 33-year-old, but he is known for reinvigorating the careers of ageing players such as Paolo di Canio, Nwankwo Kanu and most recently William Gallas, and the Spurs boss believes Saha still has juice in his tank.

“He’s got good movement, can score goals but probably needs a change. He’s out of contract at the end of the year so (Everton boss) David Moyes has let him go,” Redknapp told Sky Sports News after his side’s 3-1 win over Wigan on Tuesday night.

“I can remember speaking to Rio Ferdinand and he said he was the best forward he’d played against.”

Saha, who has also played for Newcastle, Fulham and Manchester United, will provide competition for Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor up front for Redknapp’s team.