Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has conceded he could let striker Roman Pavlyuchenko go when the transfer window re-opens for business in January.
The Russian has slipped down the pecking order at White Hart Lane and is now fourth choice behind Emmanuel Adebayor, Jermaine Defoe and Rafael Van Der Vaart.
Adebayor and Defoe’s partnership along with Van Der Vaart’s ability to play in behind the Manchester City loanee has restricted the 29-year-old to just four games this year and despite not wanting to lose Pavlyuchenko, Redknapp admits he could offload the striker.
He said: “If he wanted to go and it was a good offer, then we would look at that, for sure.
“He’s not a player that I’m looking to move. I like him. He’s a good person, good player. I hope he can have a good season.”
One problem that has dogged the former Spartak Moscow hitman since joining the club in 2008 has been consistency and Redknapp has challenged him to perform on a regular basis and win back his place at Spurs.
“He has to work hard every game. He has to be more consistent.” the 64-year-old admitted..
“He didn’t have a great pre-season. He hasn’t shown enough this year to be in the team.
Redknapp added: “He can score goals, and maybe if he goes on a run, gets an opportunity and score some goals for us.”
A number of Russian Premier League clubs are reportedly monitoring Pavlyuchenko’s situation in North London with a view to bringing him back to his homeland three years after he left.