Harry Redknapp: Wantaway striker Roman Pavlyuchenko won't derail Tottenham's season

Harry Redknapp has hit back at Roman Pavlyuchenko, claiming the £13.8million striker asked to miss the Carling Cup quarter-final against Manchester United because ‘his head was not right’.

Pavlyuchenko spoke out in his native Russia this week about his unhappiness at Tottenham, describing his fears that the manager was ‘mocking’ him by leaving him on the bench.
He has not started a Barclays Premier League game all season and has not appeared in any competition since October but rejected the chance to start against United at Old Trafford on December 1, a game Spurs lost 2-0.

Down-hearted: Roman Pavlyuchenko has admitted he would like a move away from Tottenham

Manager Redknapp said: ‘He said his head wasn’t right to play, that was the problem with him. It’s hard to understand.
He came to see me and said he didn’t really feel that he could play.

‘I said I was going to play him against Man United but he said, “I’m not ready to play, my head’s not right" I can’t put a player on the pitch not knowing if his head’s right.

‘After Russia got knocked out of the World Cup, he said his head wasn’t right and said that he wants to leave. He wants to move. I’m not crazy to shift him out, he’s a
talented footballer.
'But he’s been to see the chairman with his people and now it’s up to the chairman and whoever wants to buy him to make the right offer.’

No sympathy: Harry Redknapp insists the Russian will be going nowhere unless Spurs get a decent offer for him

Zenit St Petersburg appears the most likely destination for 28-year-old Pavlyuchenko but his long wait for a game could end on Saturday in the FA Cup third round against Peterborough.
Redknapp said: ‘He may well play. I love Pav. He’s a nice guy and a very good player.
'I don’t want to criticise his attitude. He’s laid back but he’s a top player.
'He’s just been unlucky because Jermain Defoe is on fire, Peter Crouch has been fantastic and Robbie Keane has got goals but he’s been in and out lately. What can I do?

‘The club’s going great, top four in the league, playing fantastic.
'We’re winning football matches galore, it’s never been better here.
'I wouldn’t let one person, who wants to run to the newspapers, destabilise that.’

Tottenham have a number of injury worries ahead of the Peterborough game, with Aaaron Lennon set to miss two weeks with a groin strain and Benoit Assou-Ekotto out for up to a month with a similar nagging problem.