Redknapp hopeful over Lennon return

Published Feb. 16, 2010 1:10 a.m. ET

foxsports

Lennon was in excellent form in the first half of the season and appeared a certainty for England's right-hand side of midfield at this summer's World Cup. However, the 22-year-old was struck down with a groin problem at the end of December and has not featured since. It was feared he required a hernia operation but Harry Redknapp is now confident he will not need to go under the knife and could soon be back in the team. Redknapp told The Sun: "He is happier every day so hopefully it could be next weekend. He won't need an operation." Tottenham are chasing a place in the Champions League and Lennon's assists for Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch could prove crucial. Defoe was on fire at the beginning of the campaign, but has scored only six goals in all competitions during his team-mate's injury-enforced absence.