Just over three weeks ago Redknapp had two stents inserted to unblock coronary arteries after being admitted to hospital while feeling out of breath. The 64-year-old missed two games before returning to the dugout for Monday's 2-0 win over Aston Villa, but is adamant that he is feeling better than ever and never thought about giving up a management career that currently spans 28 years. "It never entered my mind," Redknapp said. "It drove me mad, sitting at home. I had a bad couple of weeks but now I feel better than before. "I have been chasing (my wife) Sandra around the kitchen a lot. She asked them if they could reverse this process!" Redknapp takes his team to West Brom on Saturday looking to extend the nine-match unbeaten run which has propelled them to third in the Premier League. Gareth Bale's excellent form has been key to the club's turnaround in fortunes. The Wales winger almost single-handedly destroyed Villa on Monday night despite Alex McLeish fielding two right-backs in an attempt to shackle the speedy winger. Barcelona have declared an interest in the 22-year-old, but Redknapp is adamant that Spurs will not be selling Bale. "We have never spoke to anyone (about Bale)," Redknapp said. "If you start selling your best players where does it end? "You have to say we'll be a mid-table team. If you want to be a top team you've got to keep your best players." Rather than dismantling his squad, Redknapp is keen to add to it. Emmanuel Adebayor has been a success at White Hart Lane since joining on loan from Manchester City, scoring five goals. The Togo striker admitted following his brace against Villa that he wants to stay at Tottenham, but conceded he was unlikely to take a pay-cut to make it happen. Redknapp concedes there is no way that Spurs could match his current contract at City - which is thought to be worth £170,000 a week - but still hopes a deal can be struck. "He is on a big contract at Man City and it is not a contract he can get here. He'd have to take a big pay cut," Redknapp said. "But who knows? I am sure that if anyone will be able to put a deal together, it will be the chairman." Another person who has talked about extending his contract this week is goalkeeper Brad Friedel. The 40-year-old signed a two-year contract this summer but is keen to extend his current deal and Redknapp added: "He's playing great. I'd love to keep him. "Players like him and Carlo (Cudicini) are great pros. You need them around your football club. "It's not always about having superstar type players. They appreciate coming in every day and get on with it. They are so important. What could be worse than having to come in every day with a flash lot of b*******?!" Meanwhile, Redknapp has warned any clubs chasing Jermain Defoe that they would be wasting their time with a bid for the striker in January. "I wouldn't sell him. He is a fantastic player," Redknapp said. "In midweek he scored five goals against Charlton for the reserves. They were incredible finishes. "He is a top player. He has just been unlucky. Adebayor came in and has done great up front and Rafael van der Vaart has been in fantastic form. "I had a chat with Jermain. He will get an opportunity." That opportunity may not come tomorrow as Defoe has a groin problem, while Van der Vaart is also a doubt with a hamstring problem, meaning Roman Pavlyuchenko could make his first league start of the season.
