Redknapp said: “Nobody’s made him a scapegoat. Nobody is blaming Aaron for not playing. It wasn’t his fault, he didn’t bottle anything.
“The kid wasn’t well. He’s been fantastic for us. I’ve got no problems with the kid whatsoever. I was sitting there looking at his face.
“He’s normally chirpy in the dressing room before he goes out and I looked at him and he didn’t look well. He looked like death warmed up and I said to him, 'Are you OK?’. He said, ‘I’ve no strength and no energy, but I’ll give it a go’.