Redknapp denies Mutu reports

Harry Redknapp has denied reports claiming he will try to sign former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu in January.

Mutu is currently playing for Fiorentina in Italy, where he has been in impressive form and it has been suggested Real Madrid could make a move for him.

Redknapp said: "I have never thought about him. He went to Chelsea and had his problems, but I've never thought about him.

"He's a good player, but he's not a player I've ever spoken to anybody about. Where that comes from, God only knows."

Redknapp is expected to bring in several players during the transfer window to cover the absence of John Utaka, Kanu, Sulley Muntari and Papa Bouba Diop during the African Nations Cup.

Redknapp added: "It's a big problem. Without exaggerating it, we've two players with long-term injuries in Martin Cranie and Linvoy Primus and that leaves us with 18 outfield players who could play league football.

"When the four of them go away that will leave us with 14 and you need 14 every week, so we'll have to get some players in, some loans just to give us a squad to put a team out every week.

"We just need to make sure we have got enough players to get through until the African Nations Cup finishes, 14 is not enough and the owner knows that, he knows we've got to strengthen the squad.

"Finding a few players to come in and do that for us is not easy. Loans are not easy because people don't want to loan good players out."

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.