Jermain Defoe rejoined Tottenham Hotspur yesterday and after missing out on two cup finals last season he is likely to step out at Wembley within weeks as his new employers put one foot into the Carling Cup final with a 4-1 win over Burnley in last night’s semi-final, first leg at White Hart Lane. The England striker was paraded on the pitch before kick-off after Portsmouth and Tottenham agreed terms to return him to North London for about £15 million, less than a year after he was sold.

The move is Harry Redknapp’s first of the transfer window as the manager attempts to repair the damage of the Juande Ramos era. Redknapp delivered a damning verdict on the Spaniard’s regime last night, describing the squad he inherited as “badly put-together . . . from Day One” with “no strength in depth, no real cover”. He plans to add three or four more players.

“We have not really got a squad,” Redknapp said. “If you look at my team tonight, that was the best I have available. We need a certain type here — we have got an awful lot of good little players, but we need more strength and more power in the team.”

Defoe, 26, was given a warm reception from the fans. “It’s great to be back, I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he said. “A number of things. Obviously everyone knows the manager was a major factor. My family still live in London and the fans were a factor, too — you can tell by the reception I got.

“I never wanted to leave, but as a professional there comes a time when you think you need to move on. I did in order to improve my England career.”

Defoe left before Tottenham won last season’s Carling Cup and was unable to play a part in Portsmouth’s successful FA Cup campaign because he was cup-tied. “He’s a big signing, the crowd love him and it was a good deal for everyone,” Redknapp said. “I didn’t ‘raid’ Portsmouth, they wanted to sell him to us. They’ve got no complaints.”

Redknapp, though, had plenty of those at half-time and spent the entire interval unleashing the first serious rollocking since he took charge in October. “We are very naive,” he said. “I look at us at times, some of the young players, a bit of experience and knowhow is missing. They really had us on the rack at half-time. I couldn’t see that result coming.”

The holders went behind after 15 minutes when Martin Paterson scored from close range. Burnley, chasing promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship and having already dispatched Arsenal, Chelsea and Fulham from the competition, looked composed. The second period, however, was in marked contrast as the tie was swiftly transformed thanks to an inspirational display from Jamie O’Hara, who had replaced David Bentley at the interval.

Michael Dawson headed in a corner by O’Hara in the 47th minute before the substitute gave Tottenham the lead. Roman Pavlyuchenko skilfully added a third before Michael Duff glanced O’Hara’s free kick into his own net to give the home side a winning margin that should comfortably see them through the second leg, at Turf Moor on January 21.

Manchester United face Derby County — who yesterday appointed Nigel Clough as their new manager — in the other semi-final tonight.

Defoe underwent a medical yesterday, having already agreed personal terms, but the paperwork was still being completed last night. The deal had been held up by a wrangle over the fee. When Defoe left on the final day of last January’s window, Tottenham inserted a sell-on clause entitling them to £4 million. They argued for this to be taken into account, while Portsmouth believed it should be waived. It is understood that because the clubs finally agreed a price of about £15 million, Portsmouth feel the deal is, in effect, worth £19 million.

Matters were further complicated because Portsmouth owed Tottenham money over the transfers of Defoe and Younès Kaboul, the defender, so Tottenham’s initial outlay is less than £10 million.

Defoe is expected to feature away to Wigan Athletic on Sunday. His first match back in North London a week later promises to be spicy for player and manager: Portsmouth are the opponents.