Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish has wished Spurs counterpart Harry Redknapp a speedy recovery from heart surgery after stressing the importance of regular health checks for managers.

McLeish hopes Redknapp will be well enough to return to the White Hart Lane dugout for Tottenham’s Premier League clash against Villa on Monday evening.

The 64-year-old Spurs boss had successful surgery to unblock coronary arteries a fortnight ago when two stents were inserted in a medical procedure known as coronary ­angioplasty.

Redknapp missed the Europa League defeat at Rubin Kazan and Premier League win at Fulham, but McLeish revealed the Spurs boss hopes to be back in charge for Monday’s match.

“I text him last week and he said he was fine,” said McLeish. “It was a shock at the time, but the specialists nowadays are fantastic in that kind of field and there’s no reason why Harry can’t go on for another 100 years.

“There’s rumours that he’ll be there on Monday and I’m hoping that he is.”

Last weekend, Redknapp was quoted saying he is closing in on a comeback.

He said: “I think the specialist felt the stress of it all would not be conducive with my recovery from the operation. Knowing me as they do, I think they felt I probably wouldn’t help myself jumping up and down and kicking every ball on the sideline.

“But I’m fairly confident I will return earlier than they ­anticipated. I feel fine within myself.”