Spurs hoping to return to winning ways

Tottenham are hoping to bounce back in emphatic style following last week’s 2-1 defeat to Stoke City when they host Sunderland at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

With the Premier League now the main focus of Harry Redknapp, following Thursday nights Europa League exit, a number of first teamers are expected to return to the starting XI.

Younes Kaboul is looking likely to be the only casualty, following his red card at the Britannia, with no injury worries to the team that started last Sunday’s loss.

Ledley King (knee) remains a doubt for Spurs, having picked up the problem in training on the 2^nd of December, but Redknapp refused to rule the captain out of the league encounter.

“He might come out (and train) tomorrow (Friday) and give it a go again, we’ll see how he feels. I wouldn’t be sure at the moment though,” he said.

Michael Dawson (Achilles) and Tom Huddlestone (ankle) both remained sidelined while Roman Pavlyuchenko (back) is also expected to miss out however, the likes of Sandro and Niko Kranjcar made successful returns from injury, coming through the full 90 minutes unscathed during the 4-0 win over Shamrock Rovers on Thursday.

Potential starting XI

Friedel; Walker, Bassong, Gallas, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Parker, Modric Bale; Van der Vaart, Adebayor

Key battles

Benoit Assou-Ekotto will have to keep his wits about him with the Cameroonian, expected, to come up against set-piece expert Sebastian Larsson.

Scott Parker will come up against Stephane Sessegnon in what is likely to be an intense midfield battle while the Spurs fans will be hoping Emmanuel Adebayor can give Titus Bramble a bad day at the office.