Redknapp on mend after heart operation

London: Harry Redknapp was said to be in ‘excellent spirits' and hoping to return to work before the weekend after a minor heart operation yesterday.

The 64-year-old Tottenham manager has had stents inserted to unblock two coronary arteries and is expected to be discharged from hospital today or tomorrow. "I'm hoping I can be back at work again in a couple of days," said Redknapp. The Tottenham squad travelled to Russia yesterday without Redknapp ahead of their Europa League match against Rubin Kazan.

Assistant manager Kevin Bond, who shares most of the 402.3km daily round trip from Redknapp's Dorset home to the Tottenham training ground in Essex, will take charge of the team tonight.

"This will not knock Harry's desire to manage, no chance," said Bond. "It's nothing really for us to worry about."

— The Telegraph Group Limited, London 2011