Jonathan Woodgate is on course to make his Tottenham debut in the Premier League clash at Everton.
Woodgate set to make Spurs bow
Jonathan Woodgate is on course to make his Tottenham debut in the Premier League clash at Everton.
The central defender, signed in a £7million deal from Middlesbrough, goes straight into Juande Ramos' squad and could step straight into the starting line-up with Michael Dawson ruled out through suspension.
Ramos will be hoping that the arrival of the England international can further bolster the club's defence, which is already showing signs of benefiting from the return of Ledley King after a long-term injury lay-off.
Despite their poor form on the road this season, with just one win in 12 attempts, Spurs should travel to Goodison Park in good heart.
Goodison record
Everton have claimed home victories over Tottenham in just two of their 15 Premier League meetings, with the North London side securing more points (27) at Goodison Park than on any other Premier League ground.
And the last four top-flight meetings between the two teams have all ended with victories for the away side.
Striker Darren Bent is still not ready to take his place in the squad despite returning to training after a knee injury and Paul Stalteri (thigh) is a doubt.
Gareth Bale (foot), Anthony Gardner (ankle) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) are long-term absentees and Didier Zokora is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Ivory Coast.
Race for fourth
Victory for Everton would enable David Moyes' side to consolidate their grip on fourth place in the race for the final UEFA Champions League berth.
But Moyes will have to cope without the services of the influential Tim Cahill, with the Australia international serving a one-match suspension.
Full-back Tony Hibbert joins Cahill in the stands after receiving five bookings for the season, while Thomas Gravesen (knee) is out and Leon Osman (calf and groin) is doubtful.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Joseph Yobo and Steven Pienaar are in Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations with their respective countries.
