Appiah in Redknapp's sights

Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah is in the frame to become Harry Redknapp's first signing of the transfer window, after training with Tottenham.

Appiah, who has been a free agent since the summer following a dispute with Turkish side Fenerbahce, looks set to be offered a deal until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old has suffered knee injuries in the past, but Redknapp is confident that will not be a problem and is hoping to arrange a deal.

"I watched him an awful lot for Ghana - about six times - but I ended up taking Sulley Muntari because Juventus were asking 14 million pounds for Appiah," said Redknapp.

"Appiah was the captain of Ghana. He played in midfield with (Michael) Essien and Muntari - that was their midfield."

"He was a terrific player but had a bit of a problem with his knee - and he went to Turkey. But he is fine now; he's fit and looks okay."

"He is going to have a week's training. We will have a chat with him; Daniel (Levy, Spurs chairman) will speak to his people and see what the deal is. He is a good player - if he is fit he's a terrific player."

Redknapp desperately wants to bolster his numbers for the second half of the season, with talks ongoing for Portsmouth's Jermain Defoe.

Spurs have also put in a bid for Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing, who like Defoe also wants to leave his club.

Redknapp refuted suggestions that he has unsettled players and went as far as stating that he would keep Defoe at Fratton Park if he was still Pompey boss.

"(Peter) Crouch and Defoe are a terrific partnership, and that is why I bought them to play together when I was at Portsmouth," he said.

"I'm not waiting for an answer about Defoe. If I could get someone in tomorrow then I would - someone who is available."

"It has to be someone that I want. I have not got a long list."

Redknapp signed Defoe for Pompey just under a year ago for around nine million pounds, and admits that paying much more for the striker could pose a problem for Levy.

"Probably, there would be a problem - and I can understand that," said the manager.

Redknapp was also interested in taking Sunderland's Pascal Chimbonda on loan, but added: "Daniel spoke to Niall Quinn, and he's not for loan. They bought him and don't want to loan him - I can understand that."

While Appiah is a short-term deal, Redknapp feels he has to strengthen his squad over a period of time.

"I felt all along we needed to improve," he said.

"I won't bring people in and give them contracts and have them hanging around for two or three years if I don't think they are good enough."

"I would rather do nothing. It has to be the right player."