Carrick set for Spurs debut
Michael Carrick is set to make his Tottenham debut tomorrow against Portsmouth - and faces the manager who started his career.
The 23-year-old joined Spurs from West Ham two months ago but has missed his new side’s promising start to the season with groin and ankle injuries.
But the midfielder could play in tomorrow night’s clash at Fratton Park as skipper Jamie Redknapp is serving a suspension for reaching five yellow cards this season.
Redknapp could face a further ban as punishment for his horror tackle on Everton’s Tim Cahill two weeks ago to allow his team-mate a run in the first team.
If Carrick does deputise, the clash will have the added twist of being a West Ham reunion.
Pompey boss Harry Redknapp – Jamie’s father – gave Carrick his senior debut in 1999 and has watched his progress that earned two England caps.
And when the midfielder was available for a transfer this summer Redknapp was prepared to open his chequebook to bring his prodigy to the south coast.
Despite interest from champions Arsenal, Carrick signed at White Hart Lane for £2.75m (€4m) but new boss Jacques Santini has had to wait to see his signing in action.
Coach Chris Hughton believes Spurs can maintain their good form with players returning from injury and continuing to compete for starting places.
Hughton said: “What we’re trying to build here is a big enough squad that there is competition for places and we’ve been fortunate up to now because the injury list hasn’t been too extensive and we’ve seen that competition for places.”
Sean Davis is getting closer to full fitness from a knee problem and Santini has Fredi Kanoute available again after a hamstring injury.
“Fredi’s fine and has been training,” added Hughton.
“We’re not in bad shape really. These are always valuable times in the season when you have players available and competition for places.”
The north London club have already recorded two away wins this season – single goal victories against Everton and Newcastle – after seasons of struggle on the road.
Hughton believes his side now have the confidence to get results away from White Hart Lane.
“When you’re having a good run the confidence builds,” he added.
“If I look at our away record over the past few seasons, which hasn’t been that good, then there was always that little more fear going away from home.
“I would expect us at this present moment to go into the game far more confident.”
