Harry keen to hold on to Nelsen

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp confirmed Ryan Nelsen would be offered a new contract following his key role in the FA Cup win over Bolton.

Nelsen set Spurs on the road Wembley, and a semi-final showdown with Chelsea, with his first goal since moving to White Hart Lane on a free transfer from Blackburn earlier this year.

Tottenham had been frustrated by a brilliant performance from Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan before Nelsen’s back-post header in the 74th minute broke the deadlock.

Gareth Bale quickly added a second and Louis Saha rounded off the scoring for Spurs after Kevin Davies had notched a consolation strike.

Redknapp was full of praise for Nelsen’s performance and compared his influence at the club to that of Scott Parker.

‘I thought he was fantastic tonight,’ Redknapp said. ‘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.’