Redknapp has minor heart surgery

Soccer: Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp underwent minor heart surgery today. The 64-year-old went to hospital last night to have tests and medical opinion indicated that an operation to correct a minor blockage in one of his arteries was the desired action.

Tottenham confirmed last night that the former West Ham manager was set to undergo a "medical procedure" that would rule him out of the club's trip to Rubin Kazan this week. Assistant manager Kevin Bond and first-team coach Joe Jordan will take charge of the team for tomorrow night's Europa League match in Russia.

It is not known how long Redknapp will be away from work. An update is expected later today at the club's press conference in Russia, to preview Thursday's Europa League Group A match against Rubin Kazan.

Quoted in The Sunthis morning, the Spurs boss appeared confident he would be able to resume his leadership of the club in time for Sunday's Barclays Premier League game at Fulham.

The 64-year-old told the newspaper: "I'm hoping I can be back at work again in a couple of days."

Redknapp lives in Bournemouth and makes the 250-mile round trip to the club's training ground most days along with Bond.

The former Portsmouth manager, who has been in charge of Spurs for three years, admitted in March 2010 that he had started talking heart pills upon the advice of his doctors, but stressed it was not a major problem.

Writing in his Sun column, Redknapp then said: "About a year ago I needed to take heart pills and I am still taking them regularly... I am absolutely fine and have no worries about my health but this game can make the most mild-mannered of people explode as when you are sitting on the bench you get eaten up inside from first to last whistle."

On the stresses of management he added: "After a game I cannot sleep, there is too much going on in my head as I go over moves, think about game plans, think about which player has had a good or bad game - and it's worse if you lose."