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Tottenham come to Ashburton Grove tomorrow night needing a win to go through to
face Chelsea in the League Cup final on February 25th, thanks to our
second string's superb comeback from 2 goals down
in the first leg last week.
The team they face will be a bit different, but with the same kind of
make-up, as Arsene Wenger puts it,
"It will be a young side and an experienced bench".
The competition's joint top scorer (clear top if you count the own goal) having scored in 2 games,
Julio Baptista has been ruled out. He has a groin problem picked up during his 20 minute
substitute appearance in the 1-1 FA Cup 4th round match
with Bolton on Saturday. He will also miss the Middlesbrough game
on Saturday.
That could leave us a bit light up front with only Jeremie Aliadiere the only striker available
apart from the first team regulars Thierry Henry and Emmanuel Adebayor. It's
possible that one of those two will start, therefore, and almost certain that one of
them will feature on the bench at least.
Personally, I like the idea of using Theo Walcott in his preferred role at last.
We have the personnel in midfield to allow that. Gilberto is set to start
having served his 3 match suspension for having a little kick at Robbie Savage
in the
10 man win at Ewood Park.
Cesc Fabregas is, therefore, a virtual certainty to be rested. The rest of the midfield
could be made up of Abou Diaby, Denilson, and Mathieu Flamini. Alexander Hleb (definitely)
and Freddie Ljungberg (we think) are both injured, but Tomas Rosicky might be put
on the bench, just in case. There are other midfield options from the ranks of the reserves, though, such as Fran_Merida
(surprisingly not used so far in this competition this season) and Mark Randall.
In defence, Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) and Johan Djourou (hamstring)
are major doubts. There seems little choice other than Justin Hoyte and
Armand Traore at full back (not that there's any problem with that).
At centre back, the absence of Djourou along with William Gallas (return date still unknown and
stretching on and on) will probably see Philippe Senderos partnering
Kolo Toure again, although matthew_Connolly is another option.
Manuel Almunia will continue in goal, where he's been doing very well.
For Tottenham, Ledley King is still out with his long-term foot injury.
Ricardo Rocha or Anthony Gardner will deputise.
Dimitar Berbatov is out with his groin but Mido is expected to be fit to deputise.
It'll either be him or Robbie Keane, alongside Jermaine Defoe.
Note that as always in the League Cup, the away goals rule only comes into play at the end of extra time. | 
