Harry Redknapp feels Tottenham's pursuit of a Champions League spot does not come with the same risks Leeds took when they were at Europe's top table a decade ago.

Leeds travel to White Hart Lane for this weekend's FA Cup fourth-round clash but getting out of Coca-Cola League One is the priority this season, with the eventual aim of returning to the Premier League following relegation in 2004.

Their financial troubles and collapse to the third tier of English football has been attributed to chasing the dream - but Spurs are looking to finish in the top four of the Premier League in a different way.

An example of that is Redknapp preparing to ditch his interest in Ruud van Nistelrooy as the wage demands of the Real Madrid striker are too high.

"The chairman runs a well-run club," said the Spurs manager. "He runs it right. We are not gong to spend crazy money on players who are 30-odd years of age, pay them crazy money and there is no return on your money.

"But if I really want a player, the chairman does everything in his power to get him for me. If he is too expensive then he says 'Harry I can't do a deal with them'."

Redknapp believes Leeds could return to the top flight within two seasons under chairman Ken Bates, who he encountered in 1988 when his Bournemouth side defeated Chelsea.

"Someone asked me if I would let my chairman go on the bench, I just replied that my chairman would not want to go on the bench," Redknapp said. "Ken sent me a rather nasty letter giving me some grief about saying that.

"Then, in 1990 when I had a road accident in Italy and my mate Brian Tiler was killed, we had a dinner in Bournemouth to raise some money and Ken came along and was fantastic.

"He bought everything in the auction for four times more than any one else was willing to pay, without letting anyone know it was him. He was fantastic and I will never forget that."