Davis starts for Tottenham

Tottenham midfielder Sean Davis was handed his first Barclays Premiership start in two months against his former club Fulham at Craven Cottage this afternoon.

Davis, who moved to White Hart Lane in July, was selected alongside Pedro Mendes in central midfield, but the unsettled Michael Carrick had to settle for a place on the bench.

Reto Ziegler and Goran Bunjevcevic were deployed down the left with Mauricio Taricco – available after suspension – having to settle for a place among the Spurs substitutes.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman retained Mark Crossley in goal following his inspired performance against Birmingham in midweek and the back injury suffered by Edwin van der Sar.

With Denmark international Claus Jensen sidelined because of a hamstring problem, Collins John landed a place in the starting line-up with striker Andy Cole taking the captain’s armband.

Fulham: Crossley, Volz, Knight, Rehman, Bocanegra, Malbranque, Diop, Pembridge, Boa Morte, Cole, John.

Subs: McBride, Flitney, Radzinski, Green, Rosenior.

Tottenham: Robinson, Pamarot, Naybet, King, Bunjevcevic, Brown, Davis, Pedro Mendes, Ziegler, Defoe, Keane.

Subs: Taricco, Davies, Kanoute, Keller, Carrick.

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire)