Harry Redknapp left open the possibility of signing David Beckham permanently for Tottenham Hotspur when the midfielder's contract expires at LA Galaxy in December. The midfielder has been training at the north London club's Chigwell base in the hope of agreeing a temporary move until the middle of the month but contractual difficulties between Spurs and the Galaxy have halted the deal.

Beckham, who is 35, is able to hold talks in the summer because he will have only six months remaining on his contract. Redknapp said of Beckham: "He's got to go back on the ninth [of February], and I must say I'd have him back anytime. He could still play, he's so slim and fit, and he's just been great to have around the place. He's been fantastic every day in training and he's a top-class bloke.

"I don't know how long he can keep playing for but in training this week he hit about seven balls to Peter Crouch just like the one that Rafael van der Vaart produced at Blackburn for the goal [scored by Crouch]. He put the ball on Crouchy's head every time, and I could use someone like that. He's still keen to keep playing, that's for sure. I'm sure he's got a lovely place in Los Angeles where he could be at the moment, but he's over here because he loves the game and wants to keep playing. Most footballers would rather be in Los Angeles."

Spurs defeated Blackburn Rovers 1-0 on Wednesday evening to stay within a victory of a Champions League berth. Heurelho Gomes, who made crucial saves to ensure the win, said: "I'm delighted because we got the three points [and] of course, I'm happy with my performance, but I just think about the whole team and I think we deserved the win for all our hard work.

"It's always hard at Blackburn. You have to face lots of high balls in difficult conditions and after the defeat against Fulham [in the FA Cup fourth round at the weekend] it was never going to be easy to play our football. But the whole team put in a great performance, [and the mood] it's so different. Now, I can go home and sleep a little. I couldn't after Sunday."

Gomes was modest regarding a late save he made from a Morten Gamst Pedersen free-kick. "It hit my face. Unbelievable. He struck the ball so hard and I just tried to put my hands in front, but it hit my face as well," the goalkeeper said. "The most important thing is that I saved it. It was difficult, there were a lot of players in front of me."