Niko Kranjcar will not look to leave Tottenham

Niko Kranjcar has been frustrated by the lack of first team opportunities (GETTY IMAGES)

Niko Kranjcar insists he will not be demanding to leave Tottenham when the transfer window opens next month.

A thigh problem has restricted Kranjcar to just three Barclays Premier League appearances so far this term, but he hopes to return to action tonight in Spurs' Europa League Group A clash against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.

Despite being a gifted player blessed with good creativity, Kranjcar still faces an almost impossible task of dislodging Gareth Bale from his favoured position on the left wing.

Kranjcar said on Tuesday that he would need "decent game time" to stay at White Hart Lane next month, but the 27-year-old appeared to backtrack on those comments yesterday by insisting he is totally content at White Hart Lane.

"I'm not one to knock on the manager's door [to complain]," Kranjcar said.

"I have always said I am happy to be part of the squad at Tottenham because I think it is an unbelievable place.

"I would not really be interested if another club came in January.

"I was out for most of the season so I probably would not think about anything else other than getting into top shape and pushing for a place. I really haven't had any thoughts on what might or might not happen in January. I am happy [at Tottenham]."

Kranjcar admits he was annoyed not to be part of the recent 11-match unbeaten run that has catapulted the club to fourth in the table.

"It is the most frustrating thing about being a footballer - being out when the team is playing well. You want to be part of it," the former Portsmouth man said.

"But you try to stay calm and get back as soon as possible."

Spurs face a huge challenge if they are to avoid going out of the Europa League tonight, even though they are huge favourites to beat Irish champions Shamrock.

The Londoners need PAOK Salonika to beat Rubin Kazan in Greece and they also need to overhaul a five-goal deficit in the Russians' favour.

Manager Harry Redknapp, who will make at least nine changes from the team that lost at Stoke on Sunday, thinks Kranjcar's return after two months out could be key if they are to progress.

"It's good to have Niko back. He is a fantastic footballer," Redknapp said.

"He has only had two days' training but he has put himself up to play.

"That's the kind of lad he is so it's great to have him back."

Redknapp spent a large part of yesterday answering questions on his future after chairman Daniel Levy assured Spurs fans that their manager was not being distracted by talk of replacing Fabio Capello as England manager after Euro 2012.

Redknapp is the bookmakers' favourite for the post having helped steer Tottenham from relegation candidates to title contenders in little over three years, and Kranjcar thinks he should get the job .

"I think it is his time," Kranjcar said.

"Everybody thinks he has the attributes to be the England manager.

"I have worked with him a long time and the success he has had with Portsmouth and now with Spurs gives him all the credentials to count himself a person capable of being the next England manager."

PA