Spurs manager wants Beckham by weekend

Spurs and Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy club have been in negotiations all week over the fine details of a move which would bring the former England captain to White Hart Lane.

Although there were logistical problems in hiring Beckham for such a short period, Redknapp remained confident the deal would go through.

"I think he could be here on Sunday possibly if what I'm being told on the grapevine is right," Redknapp said. "The clubs are talking and there is a good chance it will happen."

Beckham may even be in attendance at Spurs FA Cup third round tie with Charlton. "Hopefully he will come to the game, I'm sure. I'm not 100 percent sure but he could be here on Sunday," Redknapp said.

If Beckham is signed this weekend, he could be available for Spurs match the following week against his former club Manchester United.

Although pundits have questioned whether 35-year-old Beckham still had the fitness to be effective in the fast-paced Premier League, Redknapp is adamant the superstar would be an asset.

"I wouldn't bring him here if I didn't think he had something to offer," Redknapp said. "We're not talking about long-term but I'd love to have him around the place.

"He would lift the level of the other players, people would respond to playing with him and having him around and he would be a good influence around the place. He could be a massive player for us.

"He has the ability to do some of the things that we don't do well," Redknapp added, citing Beckham's renowned crossing ability.

"The other night we played Peter Crouch up front. Alan Hutton hits him with one great ball, he heads the ball down and Rafa van der Vaart scores.

"Other than that he (Crouch) didn't get too many opportunities because we didn't put the ball where we should be putting the ball .

"David Beckham has that ability to drop the ball on his head 19 times out of 20 and that's important."