A HOST of international superstars are expected to turn out at St James' Park tonight as Exeter City step up their pre-season preparations with a mouthwatering friendly with Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has brought his full first-team squad down to Devon for the one-off fixture, which means the likes of England internationals Jonathan Woodgate, Ledley King, David Bentley, Jermaine Defoe, Aaron Lennon and Jermaine Jenas should feature. Added to that the likes of Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, Czech starlet Luka Modric, highly rated Honduran international Wilson Palacios and Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane, then it is understand- able why tonight's clash is a sell out.

"It shows just how far the club has come and it is a brilliant way to introduce ourselves back to St James' Park," Exeter manager Paul Tisdale said. "It is a brilliant game. We had Portsmouth last year, but this takes it up another level again and it is probably the biggest game at St James' Park – in terms of stature of club – since Manchester United were here.

"It is their full first team and it shows the respect that Harry Redknapp must have for us having brought his (Portsmouth) team here last year and want to come back again. It is a real compliment. And apart from being a very entertaining game for our supporters, I am sure our players are going to raise their game against such opposition, so it is going to be a good night."

The Grecians have certainly built up a good relationship with Redknapp, who had moved to White Hart Lane by the time he agreed to Troy Archibald-Henville joining Exeter for the second half of last season.

"There is an element of trust in all business and I hope that people begin to trust that we do things in a correct and proper manner," Tisdale added. "We say what we are going to do and we do it and we treat people correctly.

"I imagine that when we enquire after players like Troy from clubs and the manager is aware of our club, the way we play our football and the way we conduct ourselves, it makes it easier for that manager to say: 'yes, it's a good idea, I'll go with that' because there are so many unknowns in football."

Before today's game though, Tisdale will hold talks with Redknapp about bringing Archibald-Henville back to St James' Park.

The 20-year-old defender has been training with the Grecians for the last few days having made 19 appearances in their promotion-winning season from League Two last term.

"He is down for a few days. Obviously Spurs are down in Devon so they have allowed him to come and spend a few days training with us," Tisdale explained. "We will speak to the Spurs management on Wednesday, but they are letting him spend a couple of days with us in readiness for that, so that is good news. But nothing is done yet.

"We don't know how long it would be for, that will be up for discussion on Wednesday. We are better off having this discussion face-to-face. It looks promising that they let him come and spend a couple of days with us and they may even let us play him against them on Wednesday."

Another player strongly linked with an Exeter return is striker Stuart Fleetwood. The 23-year-old former Forest Green Rovers frontman scored three goals in nine appearances for Exeter at the end of the campaign and the Grecians are waiting to hear if their undisclosed offer has been accepted by the Addicks.

"I have made it very clear that I would like to keep together as much of the team that finished last season as possible and Stuart, like Troy, is owned and registered with another club," Tisdale said.

"I have made a concise and, for us, considerable offer to Charlton a few weeks ago and it hasn't been rejected nor has it been agreed. I don't think they are in a position for that one to go to fruition, but we have left our offer with them and we will see.

"It is our business with them and if it comes off or progresses, then I will be delighted, but I am relaxed with what we have done and we have made an offer that we can do, so we will see."

The Grecians could capitalise on the Addicks' perilous financial state though. The south London club are believed to be in the region of £40 million in debt and reports suggest they are about to enter administration.