- Jul 27, 2004
- 24,868
- 11,368
- Staff
- #1
[SIZE=-2](thanks to chuba for the banner)[/SIZE]
Believe it or not we do actually have a game before Sunday. Hopefully the players are fully focused on this game rather than the CC Final otherwise we could be in for a bit of a shock. That being said Ramos has the reputation of a man that knows how to win cup competitions so I go into this match confident of doing a professional job against Slavia Prague.
The Official Site Team News:
Michael Dawson remains out for the UEFA Cup Round of 32, second leg against Slavia Prague on Thursday night.
The defender picked up a hamstring injury at Derby County on February 9 and remains on the sidelined with fellow hamstring victim Kevin-Prince Boateng. However, reports from the medical team say both players are responding well to treatment and Juande Ramos insisted on Wednesday that 'Daws' was still a possibility for Sunday's Carling Cup Final.
Gilberto looks out of the Wembley showpiece, however, as he's not expected to return to training after a calf injury until next week. Ledley King has trained with the rest of the squad.
Alan Hutton is ineligible as his former club Rangers have dropped into the UEFA Cup as a third-placed finisher in the Champions League.
Elsewhere, long-term injuries Gareth Bale (foot) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) are both continuing their rehabilitation.
Skysports.com Preview:
Juande Ramos must ensure his Tottenham Hotspur side remain focused ahead of Thursday's Uefa Cup tie against Slavia Prague.
Spurs travel to Wembley just three days after their European fixture as they take on Chelsea in the Carling Cup final.
But Ramos' men still have a job to do if they are to secure their place in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup.
Tottenham's 2-1 victory in the Czech Republic gives the North Londoners the edge for the second leg fixture at White Hart Lane, with their two away goals likely to be decisive.
Risked
Ramos' starting XI will be chosen with Sunday in mind, and captain Ledley King (knee) is unlikely to be risked.
Michael Dawson remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Alan Hutton is ineligible after representing former club Rangers in the Champions League group stages.
Gareth Bale (foot), Kevin-Prince Boateng (hamstring), Gilberto (calf) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) are also out, while Ramos must choose between Radek Cerny and Paul Robinson after the Czech goalkeeper's blunder gifted Slavia a way back into the game in the first leg.
Karel Jarolim has Matej Krajcik at his disposal after the midfielder completed a one-match ban, but Marek Jarolim is unlikely to feature as he is struggling with an ankle injury.
BBC Match Squads (take with a pinch of salt):
Tottenham Squad (from): Cerny, Robinson, Chimbonda, Lee, Tainio, O'Hara, Kaboul, Rocha, Woodgate, Huddlestone, Zokora, Jenas, Lennon, Malbranque, Taarabt, Berbatov, Keane, Bent.
3
Right, that's enough fuel for this fixture, kick off is at 19:45 GMT - check [thread=27506]Geez's Media Coverage Thread[/thread] for watching and listening options.