Beattie boost for Redknapp
James Beattie is set to give new Southampton manager Harry Redknapp a major boost by returning from injury for the relegation-haunted Saints’ visit to Tottenham on Saturday.
England striker Beattie missed the former Portsmouth boss’s first match in charge – the 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough last Saturday – because of a calf injury, having earlier lost a chunk of the campaign with a double-fractured toe.
But he has been running well all week and was due to return to full training today.
The timing of his return would be ideal, with attacking midfielder Rory Delap serving a one-match suspension but struggling, in any case, with a damaged ankle.
Redknapp, who has told Beattie he will have to put any hope of a January transfer window move on ice, will come up against son Jamie at White Hart Lane.
The London club’s captain has been reduced to a substitute’s role since Martin Jol took over as head coach and that has led to speculation his father could make a move for the 31-year-old midfielder next month.
But Redknapp, who was Bournemouth manager when his son made his League debut for the Cherries in 1990, said: “I don’t think it will happen.
“At the moment I’m only really thinking about trying to get us out of the relegation area.
“We will have a look at what we can do in the transfer market nearer the time.”
Saints midfielder Matthew Oakley is expected to return to full training on Monday, now pain-free after a minor operation to give him more freedom of movement on his patella.
Oakley has been out 15 months following a cruciate ligament operation on a knee.
But Neil McCann is still struggling with his fractured toe while Sweden centre-half Michael Svensson is making slow progress from the knee injury which required surgery at the end of last season.
Redknapp said: “To be honest it doesn’t look like he’s going to be fit for some tie.
“It is easy for people to forget that he is the one of the finest centre-halves in the Premiership. The side has really missed him.”
Meanwhile, Andrew McNeil – goalkeeper in Southampton’s outstanding U18 team – has been selected to play for Scotland in a friendly against England at Hartlepool next Wednesday.
Southampton could also soon announce a third ex-member of Portsmouth’s coaching staff has joined them.
Jim Smith has returned from a holiday in Dubai and has had informal discussions with Redknapp about the chances of joining the manager and first-team coach Kevin Bond on the St Mary’s staff.
