Gardner gunning for Arsenal

Anthony Gardner should return to the Tottenham side for tomorrow’s north-London derby against Arsenal.

The central defender had only missed one match through suspension this season, but sat out the home defeat to Bolton last week as a precaution after feeling some tightness in his hamstring.

Gardner’s return would be a boost for caretaker-boss David Pleat, who is already without the luckless Christian Ziege, who is facing another lay-off following a knee ligament injury after just returning from a thigh problem.

Mauricio Taricco is the most likely man to make way, although there are still some fitness concerns over Ledley King, who has just returned to action after a hamstring problem.

Midfielder Stephane Dalmat also missed the Bolton game after he was allowed back to France on family business, but is available tomorrow after rejoining his team-mates earlier this week.

Welsh international Simon Davies is stepping up his rehabilitation after several weeks out with a hip problem, while striker Frederic Kanoute has started to jog again after badly damaging ankle ligaments at Leicester last month.

Captain Jamie Redknapp is also still undergoing his treatment for a knee problem and remains a long-term absentee.

Provisional Squad: Keller, Carr, Richards, Taricco, Gardner, King, Blondel, Ricketts, Anderton, Keane, Postiga, Zamora, Dalmat, Konchesky, Bunjevcevic, Poyet, Doherty, Yeates, Mabizela, Burch.