Spurs boss Redknapp has been attempting to secure Croatia goalkeeper Pletikosa in recent weeks and is expected to try to seal a loan deal following this afternoon's departure of youngster Button.

Any move could involve an option to sign Pletikosa from Russian side Spartak Moscow permanently.

The 31-year-old, who reportedly came close to joining Tottenham last summer before suffering a knee injury, would provide cover for Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini, the latter of whom has only recently recovered from a serious motorcycle accident.

Also fit again is captain Ledley King, who was set to make his first pre-season appearance of the summer at Ipswich tonight.

The defender, who has not played since injuring himself in England's World Cup draw against the United States, was named in the Spurs XI squad which travelled to Portman Road this evening.

He was joined in the travelling party by fellow first-teamers Roman Pavlyuchenko, Younes Kaboul and Ben Alnwick.

The bulk of the first-team squad were set to face Benfica in Lisbon at the same time, minus the injured Robbie Keane.

Press Association Sport understands Keane has a knee problem, which is not thought to be serious, but was of enough concern for him not to travel to Portugal for this evening's friendly.

Republic of Ireland striker Keane has been repeatedly linked with a move away from White Hart Lane since spending the second half of last season on loan at Celtic.

One Spurs forward going nowhere this summer is Peter Crouch, who reckoned tonight's match would stand the club in good stead for their Champions League qualifiers later this month.

He told Tottenham's official website: "It will be a very difficult game and the type of game we need in pre-season, especially if we want to do anything in Europe.

"I'm sure all the fans will be excited about our European adventure this season and we've got a taster of it in pre-season before the real stuff starts."

Those sentiments were echoed by keeper Gomes, who said: "When you have a chance to play in the group stages of the Champions League, we need a game like this against Benfica.

"It's good for us and we can take the experience of playing against a team like this into the Champions League."

Meanwhile, Spurs could be set to allow Morocco international Adel Taarabt to join QPR on a permanent basis.

Tottenham signed Taarabt from Lens in 2007 for £3million but he has failed to make an impact and has played just nine times for the club.

The 21-year-old was loaned out to QPR a year ago and he may return to Loftus Road in time for the start of the npower Championship season this weekend.