Van der Vaart missed Saturday's 2-1 win over Sunderland with a calf strain and with several other midfielders absent Redknapp was desperately hoping the Dutchman would recover.
GEAR:Up to £10 off Champions League shirts with Kitbag. Free delivery on orders over £50
"Rafa is OK. He had a calf strain but he should be OK," Redknapp told reporters.
"It's a big loss, he didn't feel great," said Redknapp, who said he did not want to rush the Welshman back too early.
Bale's absence has been somewhat countered by the return to the first team of Niko Kranjcar, who has scored the winning goals in Spurs' last two games.
"Kranjcar is in a great form he showed it last Saturday, he also has international experience. He won't let us down for sure," Redknapp said of the Croatia midfielder.
Having trailed 4-0 to Inter in his last trip to the San Siro before Bale's hat-trick brought respectability, Redknapp said he would not be changing the style that also brought a 3-1 win over the holders at White Hart Lane.
"It is very difficult to change approach. I certainly can't ask players like Aaron Lennon to do defensive job because this his not their nature. They have to play their natural game."
"Harry tells us not to be afraid of any team, we just want to win, and win and win," he said.
"I think Tottenham scored the highest number of goals in the group stage, they are very strong in attack," he said.
"But they conceded several goals as well."
"I still have to make a decision on (Alexandre) Pato. We only have three strikers available, it will be different without (Antonio) Cassano," he said.
"It
