Harry Redknapp wants to keep Nelsen

Harry Redknapp intends to offer Ryan Nelsen a new contract after praising the defender's impact since joining Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer. Nelsen arrived on a deal until the end of the season from Blackburn Rovers earlier this year and he has made five appearances for the club in all competitions. The 34-year-old opened the scoring in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the rescheduled FA Cup quarter-final tie, which set up a last-four date with London rivals Chelsea. Redknapp was full of praise for the New Zealand veteran's performance and compared his influence at the club to that of Scott Parker. Fantastic "I thought he was fantastic tonight," said Redknapp. "I just think he is a great professional and a real good player. "I couldn't believe I got him on a free. I felt it was an amazing player to bring to the club, he is a player I have chased for years. "I have always thought he was top class, a great pro, a great trainer, a fantastic person. "He has got a six-month contract. At the end of the season you have got to keep him here next year because he's worth his weight in gold just to have around for other people to look at the way he works, the way he trains, the way he behaves, his attitude. "That's what football clubs are built upon, people like him, Scott Parker, Brad Friedel. You bring them in and it changes everything. That has been the difference this year."