Spurs looked set to lose ground on their rivals last weekend but Niko Kranjcar's injury-time winner against Bolton, and Chelsea's loss to Liverpool, moved Redknapp's team level on points with the fourth-placed defending champions.

With Carlo Ancelotti's team playing Fulham on Monday, and Manchester City facing a tricky derby at United tomorrow lunchtime, Redknapp knows this weekend's game against Sunderland will be the first of a series of important matches for his club.

Spurs may have a glamorous match against AC Milan on Tuesday, but Redknapp insists his main focus is coming out on top in the tricky battle to finish in the top four.

"The league is all important. That is our bread and butter and we want to do our best," Redknapp said.

"It will be difficult to get into the top four.

"Liverpool are coming into it now so don't write them off. They have some good players and are a good side.

"The manager has them playing and they will be close. Manchester United, Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal - you have to finish above one of them.

"It won't be easy but we have a chance. We have to keep winning, we can't afford to slip up."

Tottenham fans have been treated to some entertaining European matches in their first season in the competition - most notably the two games against Inter Milan - and the experience has left Redknapp hungry for more.

He admits the prospect of finishing fifth and having to take part in the Europa League hardly sets his pulse racing.

"I think everyone that gets in it (the Europa League) wants to be out of it. They put reserve teams out every game," Redknapp said.

"We want Champions League football again next year - it has been enjoyable and we want it.

"We haven't spent massive money, but we are right up there again."

Redknapp has serious doubts over whether the man who starred in both games against Inter this year - Gareth Bale - will be fit for Tuesday.

The Welshman grabbed the headlines with a sublime hat-trick in the San Siro last October before embarrassing Brazil right-back Maicon on the way to securing a 3-1 victory against the Italians the following month.

Bale has not played for Tottenham for three weeks thanks to a back injury and will miss tomorrow's game, along with star forward Rafael van der Vaart, who is struggling with a calf injury.

Luka Modric is also a doubt for Tuesday's game after having an operation to remove his appendix a fortnight ago.

Redknapp admits he has no idea whether any of the trio will be fit enough to make it for the Milan match.

"They are all struggling at the moment. It's difficult to say whether they'll be fit for Tuesday," the 63-year-old said.

"Luka has started jogging but isn't available tomorrow.

"Rafa has a calf strain and Gareth is coming back slowly with his back.

"We have one or two injuries but hopefully it won't be too long."

Wilson Palacios is also a doubt after he made the long journey from London to Honduras to take part in his country's friendly against Ecuador on Thursday.

Redknapp is not happy the midfielder, who has been struggling with a knee injury, was forced to make the trip for the match.

"International week is a nightmare," Redknapp said.

"Wilson played last week when we weren't sure whether he'd be fit and now he has had to go and play in a friendly game all the way to Honduras.

"I'm not sure of the flight time but it's horrendous."

Roman Pavlyuchenko could start tomorrow despite being linked with a move to Spartak Moscow this week.

The striker voiced his despair at his limited game time in the Russian press this week but Redknapp insists he must stop complaining and prove his worth to the team on the pitch.

Redknapp added: "Pav has been talking in the newspapers but when he plays he has to go out and grab the opportunity."