Jermain Defoe could put last season's Wembley misery behind him if he moves back to Tottenham from Portsmouth.
But Spurs have to do their part against Burnley first.
Harry Redknapp's men face their Coca-Cola Championship opponents tonight in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg, the trophy Spurs won less than a month after Defoe left them for Fratton Park.
The 26-year-old striker, who also missed out on another medal when he was cup-tied for the FA Cup final in May, did not feature in Pompey's Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool earlier in the season and would be able to play in the competition if he rejoins Spurs and they get through their last-four clash.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie are negotiating a deal, with Redknapp insisting he has not unsettled Defoe or any other player.
"It's their choice to say he is not for sale," Redknapp said. "I wouldn't have sold him if I was manager at Portsmouth and Tottenham came back in, I'd be keeping him."
Another Redknapp target who wants to leave his current club is winger Stewart Downing, who has had a transfer request rejected by Middlesbrough.
"It's the same (with Downing), I wouldn't sell him if I didn't want to," Redknapp said.
"If they want to leave, they have their reasons. If Defoe has got reasons why he wants to come back to Tottenham, fine."
Redknapp is closer to signing Stephen Appiah, who is training with Spurs this week.
Appiah, who has been a free agent since the summer following a dispute with Turkish side Fenerbahce, looks set to be offered a deal until the end of the season.
The 28-year-old has suffered knee injuries in the past, but Redknapp is confident that will not be a problem and is hoping to arrange a deal.
"I watched him an awful lot for Ghana - about six times - but I ended up taking Sulley Muntari because Juventus were asking £14million for Appiah," said Redknapp.
Against Burnley, Spurs want to avoid being the Championship side's third top-flight scalp. The other teams have also been from London.
"They've done well," Redknapp said. "I watched them on Saturday against QPR and they are well organised and have experienced players.
"They've had a fantastic run - Chelsea, Fulham and Arsenal - so we won't be underestimating them."
Midfielder Hossam Ghaly is in contention for a place in the squad, despite the reaction from Spurs fans when he stripped off to come on as a substitute in the FA Cup win over Wigan. Redknapp was forced to bring on a different player instead.
Supporters remembered when he threw his shirt angrily to the ground in his last appearance two seasons ago, after being brought off the bench and getting replaced again.
"If you've got a smile on your face then you're in the wrong game," Redknapp said. "People should forgive and forget - let's move on."
Harry Redknapp's men face their Coca-Cola Championship opponents tonight in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg, the trophy Spurs won less than a month after Defoe left them for Fratton Park.
The 26-year-old striker, who also missed out on another medal when he was cup-tied for the FA Cup final in May, did not feature in Pompey's Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool earlier in the season and would be able to play in the competition if he rejoins Spurs and they get through their last-four clash.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie are negotiating a deal, with Redknapp insisting he has not unsettled Defoe or any other player.
"It's their choice to say he is not for sale," Redknapp said. "I wouldn't have sold him if I was manager at Portsmouth and Tottenham came back in, I'd be keeping him."
Another Redknapp target who wants to leave his current club is winger Stewart Downing, who has had a transfer request rejected by Middlesbrough.
"It's the same (with Downing), I wouldn't sell him if I didn't want to," Redknapp said.
"If they want to leave, they have their reasons. If Defoe has got reasons why he wants to come back to Tottenham, fine."
Redknapp is closer to signing Stephen Appiah, who is training with Spurs this week.
Appiah, who has been a free agent since the summer following a dispute with Turkish side Fenerbahce, looks set to be offered a deal until the end of the season.
The 28-year-old has suffered knee injuries in the past, but Redknapp is confident that will not be a problem and is hoping to arrange a deal.
"I watched him an awful lot for Ghana - about six times - but I ended up taking Sulley Muntari because Juventus were asking £14million for Appiah," said Redknapp.
Against Burnley, Spurs want to avoid being the Championship side's third top-flight scalp. The other teams have also been from London.
"They've done well," Redknapp said. "I watched them on Saturday against QPR and they are well organised and have experienced players.
"They've had a fantastic run - Chelsea, Fulham and Arsenal - so we won't be underestimating them."
Midfielder Hossam Ghaly is in contention for a place in the squad, despite the reaction from Spurs fans when he stripped off to come on as a substitute in the FA Cup win over Wigan. Redknapp was forced to bring on a different player instead.
Supporters remembered when he threw his shirt angrily to the ground in his last appearance two seasons ago, after being brought off the bench and getting replaced again.
"If you've got a smile on your face then you're in the wrong game," Redknapp said. "People should forgive and forget - let's move on."
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