New Tottenham Hotspur signing Peter Crouch believes the club have "as good a chance as any" to break into the Premier League top four this season. The 28-year-old is back with manager Harry Redknapp after joining from Portsmouth, and has insisted the north London club can secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League.

"It was an easy decision to make because of the size of the club," he said on joining Tottenham. "I was very keen to come here - the manager has always got the best out of me. There were firm offers from Sunderland, Fulham and Spurs and for me the biggest club is this one.

It's going to be difficult to break into the top four, but if anyone has the potential this club does.
Tottenham Hotspur's Peter Crouch

"It's going to be difficult to break into the top four, but if anyone has the potential this club does. Harry has a great deal of belief in me and I hope I can repay him."

Crouch, who began his career with Spurs just over a decade ago, will also be linking up again with Jermain Defoe. "We've always worked well together," said the towering England forward.

"We've got competition for our places, but we've always scored goals and if we play together again I'm sure it will work. Jermain, Robbie (Keane) and (Roman) Pavlyuchenko are three fantastic players and I think all of us will complement each other."

Best wishes for Bent
Redknapp, who also said that the possible signing of Newcastle United defender Sebastien Bassong was in the hands of chairman Daniel Levy, said: "It's nice to have lots of good players.

"We have four terrific strikers and competition will be very fierce. I've been lucky enough to work with Peter before and he brings something else we haven't had. He's a target and he will also score goals."

Redknapp also said he wished Darren Bent well at Sunderland and was puzzled by the player's comments about "political problems" at White Hart Lane. "I don't know what he means," said the Tottenham manager.

He's a good player and I had no problem with him. He's got a good move and I hope it goes well for him.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp on Sunderland signing Darren Bent

"I don't think he needs to be critical of the boardroom at Tottenham. He's a good player and I had no problem with him. He worked hard. This game is a game of opinions and I decided to change things around. He's got a good move and I hope it goes well for him."

Spurs play Olympiacos in a friendly at home on Sunday, and start their league campaign against Liverpool - one of Crouch's former clubs, of course - the following Saturday.

While Redknapp has decisions to make on who to leave out up front, he has serious injury worries in central defence, with Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson almost certain to miss the start of the season and Ledley King doubtful. Even if Bassong joins, he is suspended from the first two games because of his sending-off against Fulham at the end of last season.