Venue: White Hart Lane Date: Saturday, December 22nd K/O: 15:00
Team News
Tottenham's Gareth Bale makes his much anticipated return from a hamstring injury this weekend. Long term absentee defenders Assou-Ekotto (lack of match fitness) and Kaboul (knee) remain out however, whilst forward Adeybayor is carrying a hamstring injury. Stoke have no fresh injury concerns, though are still without defender Marc Wilson (ankle) and midfielder Rory Delap (hernia).
Match Preview
Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen
recently claimed the club could prosper without Gareth Bale, though results prove otherwise as Spurs have picked up just three points during the Welshman's two week absence. That one win came against Swansea last week and has put the London club in the ascendancy going into this tie however, as they come up against a Stoke side that has won just once all month. It's tight in the middle of the pack this season however, and Tony Pulis' side are only three points off fifth placed Arsenal, and that alone will provide them with enough encouragement against Andre Villas-Boas' side this weekend. Tottenham are precisely where they want to be this season, and if they can stay above Arsenal in fourth place going into the New Year, their fans will be feeling very festive indeed.
Possible Line Up's
Tottenham Lloris, Vertonghen, Walker, Gallas, Caulker, Bale, Dempsey, Sandro, Lennon, Dembele, Defoe
Stoke Begovic, Shawcross, Huth, Cameron, Wilkinson, Walters, Kightly, Whelan, Adam, Crouch, Jones source -
bbc sport