Tottenham Hotspur delighted to get Luka Modric back
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp believes Luka Modric can help the club through their injury crisis after returning to his best form following a fractured leg himself.
Birmingham Live
Modric, 24, has previously admitted he feared not coming back as the same player when he injured his right fibula in August and was out for more than three months - but he has eased his way into action and scored a stunning goal against Everton at the weekend.
Redknapp said: "I think Luka is back to his best; he could play in any team in the world. His goal against Everton was a fantastic finish from a great player."
Spurs midfielder Niko Kranjcar, Modric's international team-mate with Croatia, agrees with his manager.
"I think he proved it when he came on at Wigan and was sublime," Kranjcar said. "Against Everton, again he had a great game.
"Since we started playing together in the national team I think the team benefits from us playing together and we get the best out of each other.
"He was out for three or four months and he needs time to get settled in. He's going to have ups and downs in the remaining games but I think he's coming back to full fitness and the games are coming quick for us and it helps with confidence and fitness that you play so many games.
"I think he will give us a big boost now for the rest of the season."
Redknapp's fit players are in good form but there is a growing list of players on the treatment table.
Skipper Ledley King has a thigh problem and fellow centre-back Jonathan Woodgate is expected to miss the rest of the season with his long-term groin problem.
In midfield, Jermaine Jenas is scheduled for groin surgery this week, Aaron Lennon needs another six weeks rest for his groin complaint, while David Bentley has a tear in his groin.
Tom Huddlestone was the latest to go down when he was carried off on a stretcher against Everton - and his scan needs to be assessed before it is known how long he will be out.
"We hope that Aaron will get fit soon as well to get that extra injection that you want and you need," Kranjcar added. "From the beginning of the season we've said we have a massive squad. We believe anyone can replace anyone else and we've proved it again."
Kranjcar views this period of the season as crucial to Spurs' hopes, with Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-final next on the agenda.
"It's a crucial stage of the season," he said. "You'd hope you don't have any injuries, but unfortunately we do and we have to live with it.
"At the beginning of the season, we'd have been happy to be in the position we are at this point. We've got nothing to fear. We have a lot of self-belief, we believe in the quality of the team and that we can achieve good things."
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