Tottenham re-asserted their top-four chasing credentials in the most emphatic way possible with their Jermaine Defoe inspired destruction of woeful Wigan Athletic last Sunday.   The victory broke or equalled a number of club, Premier League and personal records, and it put Spurs back in the top four, level on points with North London rivals Arsenal, although still seven goals behind them on goal difference, despite Sunday’s haul.   Manager Harry Redknapp was also moved to praise the depth of his squad, in the afterglow of the victory – a highly unusual step for Redknapp, who is normally bemoaning the lack of “two or three” quality players at this time of the year, a month and a week before the start of the January transfer window.

Meanwhile, second-choice goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini has left hospital after his recent motor-bike accident, with Redknapp saying that while the Italian is unlikely to play again this season, the injuries were not as serious as first feared.

And injury-jinxed current centre-half Jonathan Woodgate has all but ruled himself out of contention for a place in Fabio Capello’s England World Cup squad for South Africa next summer, citing his current inability to train regularly.

Spurs’ latest move for England and Manchester City full-back Richards comes three years after they had a £5m bid turned down for the youngster who, despite having both graced and disgraced the back pages for many years, only turned 21 earlier this month.

Redknapp has been searching for a right-back for some time and had a bid for a reunion with former Portsmouth number two Glen Johnson turned down this summer.

This time, however, the club are reportedly confident that they can see off competition from Aston Villa – who are also Spurs’ next on-field opponents, this Saturday evening - for Richards’ signature.

Richards is anxious for regular first-team football prior to the World Cup, something which has not been available at Manchester City, despite their well-documented defensive woes.

Keeper Carlo Cudicini was discharged from hospital last week after surgery on the pelvic and wrist injuries he suffered in a motorcycle accident in Walthamstow, North-East London earlier this month.

The 36 year-old former Chelsea custodian told the Spurs’ official web-site: “The operations went very well.

“I am already moving my wrist and the surgeon would like to check on my pelvis every month. In 11 weeks I will be able to move without crutches and will be free to begin my preparations.”

This will be for next season, however, according to Redknapp who added: “I think he will be out for the rest of this season.”

Centre-back Woodgate, who has made only three appearances this season, was downbeat on his chances of being in the England squad next summer.

The 29-year-old said: “I don’t train all the time and Capello likes people who do. I haven’t given up but we’ll see what happens.”