Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admits he's surprised Liverpool sold them back Robbie Keane last January.

Redknapp is likely to rest Keane for their clash with Wigan Athletic after the Republic of Ireland dramas this week.

He said: "There's something about him. He's got an opinion on everything on football. He talks to players in the dressing room. Before a game he's the one in there saying 'Come on lads, let's start well, let's get after them, let's close them down.'

"At the start of the season people said 'Well, you can't play Keane and (Jermain) Defoe - they can't play together'. Well, we started beating Liverpool and went to Hull and scored five, then we went to West Ham (and won) and have done great. We've got 22 points, the best start Tottenham's had since they've been in the Premier League, and Robbie's got eight goals and has been top-class for us.

"I was surprised to get him at the time we did, after Liverpool had paid that money for him. We got him back for £8million cheaper. I felt he was vital for us. I thought: 'If Robbie comes back we'll be ok.' That was the type of feeling he gave me."