The experience of Tottenham new boys Louis Saha and Ryan Nelsen could prove vital in the title race, according to assistant manager Kevin Bond.

Saha, 33, signed a six-month contract at White Hart Lane on Tuesday night in one of the surprise deals of the transfer window.

The former Everton, Manchester United and Fulham man was joined on Thursday by Nelsen, the 34-year-old centre-half who signed after Spurs decided to let wantaway defender Sebastien Bassong leave for Wolves.

Spurs fans have been left a little underwhelmed at the arrival of the ageing duo, particularly given that they were strongly linked with the likes of Loic Remy, Christopher Samba and Junior Hoilett at the start of 2012.

Saha scored just one Premier League goal for the Toffees this season, but Bond thinks the Frenchman's experience, and that of Nelsen, will prove vital to the squad as they start a nervy run-in searching for their first title since 1961.

"I think that experience and that know-how of having been there before is important," Bond said.

"They are the right characters. Having those type of characters in the dressing room and the training ground will be really, really important for us.

"The type of people they are, I think they can make an important difference."

Bond has been particularly impressed with how Saha, who picked up four winners' medals during his time at Manchester United, has adapted to life at Spurs.

"I wasn't in yesterday, but from what I am told, Louis Saha trained very well," he said.

"He is a real quality striker and he will be a real big addition for us. He is another top-line striker. He will be really key for us."

Nelsen had spent seven years at Ewood Park before they decided to cancel his contract this week after a knee injury restricted him to just one first-team appearance this term.

He faces a tough battle to earn a first-team place as Spurs already have Ledley King, Michael Dawson, William Gallas and Younes Kaboul, who has been excellent this season, on their books.

The New Zealand captain is looking forward to the challenge, however.

"I kind of like when the odds are stacked against you, so we'll see. We'll get out there and give it everything," Nelsen said on New Zealand's 3News.

"Medals, trophies are things you strive for. Blackburn got to five semis and never made a final, so it's very exciting."

Both Saha and Nelsen will be available for Monday night's Premier League clash at Liverpool.

Saha may start the game as Jermain Defoe is rated as "extremely doubtful" due to a hamstring injury and Rafael van der Vaart (calf) and Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring) could miss out after hobbling off against Wigan on Tuesday.

Tottenham's 3-1 win over the Latics put them within five points of the top of the table after leaders Manchester City lost to Everton.

Spurs' performance was one of their best of the season and they could have easily doubled their goal tally on the night had it not been for some desperate goal-line clearances and a good display from Latics goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.

The fact that the team performed so well having been without manager Harry Redknapp, who has been contesting two charges of tax evasion since last Monday, says a lot about the squad's character, according to Bond.

"Everyone knows what is expected of them so from that point of view it's pretty much business as normal, but it's a great credit to the lads that they have remained focused while the manager has been missing," Bond said.

Redknapp's trial is expected to end on Friday or early next week. He denies the charges.