Keane could land Spurs starting role

Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle has to decide who misses out to accommodate new £7m (€11m) striker Robbie Keane’s debut against Fulham at Loftus Road on Wednesday night.

Veteran Les Ferdinand, Norwegian Steffen Iversen and Keane’s fellow Republic of Ireland international Gary Doherty all have strong claims to partner skipper Teddy Sheringham up front for top-of-the-table Spurs.

It could even mean Keane being given a role just behind the front two with either Simon Davies or Matthew Etherington dropping out.

Impressive young defender Anthony Gardner should shake off a thigh strain and return to the back four alongside Dean Richards while midfielder Darren Anderton may also feature after missing the start of the campaign because of a knee problem.

Provisional squad: Keller, Taricco, Gardner, Bunjevcevic, Richards, Perry, Ziege, Thatcher, Davies, Acimovic, Redknapp, Etherington, Keane, Sheringham, Anderton, Iversen, Ferdinand, Doherty, Rebrov, Blondel, Hirschfeld.