Redknapp hopeful over Beckham as loan talks continue

Midfielder Beckham agreed a five-year deal with LA Galaxy in January 2007

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says he has not totally given up hope of David Beckham playing for the club during a month-long stint at White Hart Lane.

The 35-year-old LA Galaxy star has agreed to train with Spurs until 10 February, but it was thought he would not actually play in a short-term loan.

But Redknapp made a U-turn on Sunday, telling BBC Sport he was wrong to write off the deal due to insurance issues.

"Hopefully it could happen," he said. "[Talks] are still ongoing,"

Speaking after Tottenham's 3-0 FA Cup third round win over Charlton, Redknapp added: "I don't know what the issues are... and I don't know the answer. I wish I knew.

"It's sorted about above my head. I don't think there's a problem with the insurance, I had that wrong."

Earlier on Sunday, Spurs issued a statement which said: "David will train with the club until 10 February when he will be required to return to LA Galaxy ahead of the start of the MLS season."

Redknapp subsequently described any chance of his playing for the club as a "no-goer".

"He will be a great influence around the place and I am sure we will all benefit from his winning mentality," Redknapp said in a statement.

"I think everyone will enjoy having him here. We'd love to have him here for longer but respect his commitments to LA Galaxy. They wanted him back in early February so that made it difficult to do a playing deal on the basis of three weeks."

Beckham, whose wife Victoria is expecting their fourth child in the summer, picked up an Achilles injury during his spell on loan in Europe with AC Milan last season.

That injury ruled the former Manchester United player out of the 2010 World Cup.

The 115-cap midfielder has yet to give up on playing for his country again, and is hoping to catch the eye of England manager Fabio Capello with a two-month spell back in the UK.

606: DEBATE The attention that we will get from Beckham being here could be a good lesson to our players in how to handle it adam_slayer

Capello last fielded Beckham in the 3-0 win over Belarus in October 2009 and recently urged him to return to Europe to prove his fitness.

The Italian had previously stated that Beckham was "too old" to be considered for future England teams, but subsequently suggested the player could force his way back into his plans.

Beckham, who was born and raised in London, has plied his trade abroad since leaving Manchester United for Real Madrid in June 2003.

The six-time Premier League champion has not previously been tempted by offers of a return to England, turning down the chance to discuss a similar deal with Everton in November while stating that, as a Manchester United fan, such a move was "too close to home".

He also denied any interest in a move to West Ham in July and rejected the chance to be reunited with former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson at Championship side Leicester in December.

But Beckham recently told BBC Sport there was an outside chance of appearing for a different English club to United, and that he hoped to continue playing for another two or three years.

Tottenham confirmed later on Sunday that Beckham would meet with their medical staff on Monday before training on Tuesday.