Keane: Attacking spark

skysports.com prediction: Tottenham 3 Getafe 2

Player to watch: Robbie Keane

Sky Bet odds: Spurs 4/7 Draw 12/5 Getafe 9/2

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Thursday evening's Uefa Cup clash against Getafe may well be the making or breaking of Martin Jol's reign in charge of Tottenham Hotspur.

Reports suggest that the Dutchman has three games to save his job as he heads into a trio of must-win matches in seven days.

Few would have predicted such a rotten start to the season for Tottenham after what seemed like a promising summer of signings.

However, an exceptional amount of pressure and expectation has built at White Hart Lane, and the 51-year-old tactician has buckled under the strain.

Leaky

Injuries have not assisted him in his cause; notably Ledley King's absence has left a huge hole in a leaky Tottenham defence.

There is a glimmer of good news for Jol as King is closing in on his return and is likely to return to training next week.

But the towering centre-back's comeback may come too late, while the impressive Gareth Bale is unavailable for 10 days after limping off against Newcastle with a bruised foot.

Radek Cerny will continue in goal with Paul Robinson still sidelined with a calf injury, and Young-Pyo Lee faces a late fitness test on a shoulder problem.

Getafe team news

Last season's quarter-finalists are also without Ricardo Rocha (ankle) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee).

Spurs' Spanish opponents are fairing just as poorly in their domestic league and mirror the North London club by sitting 18th in the table.

Michael Laudrup has Ikechukwu Uche and Fabio Celestini unavailable after the duo sustained injuries during the 2-0 victory over Real Murcia.

However, the Danish coach has Franck Signorino at his disposal, while Francisco Sousa has shrugged off a knock he picked up at the weekend.