Hoops hoping to hook Spurs duo Dawson and Townsend

Wheeler-dealer QPR boss Harry Redknapp is eyeing up Andros Townsend and Michael Dawson, and following the Hoops’ promotion to the Premier League, he wants to raid his former club.

At still only 22-years-old, Townsend has a lot of potential, though it seems unlikely that he will be part of new manager Mauricio Pochettino plans at Tottenham. With Shaun Wright-Phillips coming to the end of his contract, Redknapp may have identified the Spurs winger as a potential, replacement as he seeks to blend a balance of youth and experience to cement their Premier League status.

Under Andre Villas-Boas, Townsend had quite a regular run in the team, showing glimpses of quality that inspired Roy Hodgson to call him up to the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers. In Redknapp, Townsend will find himself with a suitable mentor. He has been responsible for developing and honing the careers of a host of players that have gone on to become established England internationals and blossomed at the highest level.

At 13/8, QPR are second favourites to be relegated next season, and will be keen to strengthen sensibly. As a result, Redknapp is also being attracted to a former player that he managed at Spurs; Michael Dawson, who, at 30-years-old, certainly isn’t at the end of his career, and could offer valuable experience.

The defender was a favourite of Redknapp’s, and a permanent fixture in their Champions League run in 2011. Whether he will be signed as a partner for Richard Dunne, or to replace him directly, remains to be seen. In recent days QPR have been linked to a number of high-profile players that their manager has coached previously including Champions League and Premier League winners Frank Lampard, who is out of contract with Chelsea, and Rio Ferdinand, released by Manchester United at the end of the season.

It seems Redknapp’s old boys could help to bring the feel-good factor back to Loftus Road.