Defoe and Kanoute team up in front for Spurs

Tottenham set about chasing a fourth successive Barclays Premiership victory - something they have not managed since 1995 – with Jermain Defoe and Frederic Kanoute up front.

Defoe returned from suspension and, after Kanoute scored Tottenham’s winner against Manchester City, it was Robbie Keane who was rotated on to the bench.

Spurs boss Martin Jol recalled Reto Ziegler to the left of midfield after the Swiss teenager recovered from a hamstring strain while Anthony Gardner started in defence alongside Ledley King after Nourredine Naybet was ruled out with a groin problem.

Southampton arrived at White Hart Lane without an away win this season and Harry Redknapp, in his second game in charge, rung the changes following their 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough. Striker Peter Crouch retained his place up front with James Beattie on the bench after his recent calf injury but Jason Dodd, David Prutton, Darren Kenton and Paul Telfer all started.

Tottenham: Robinson, Pamarot, Gardner, King, Atouba, Ricketts, Carrick, Brown, Ziegler, Defoe, Kanoute. Subs: Pedro Mendes, Keane, Redknapp, Davenport, Fulop.

Southampton: Niemi, Dodd, Lundekvam, Kenton, Higginbotham, Nilsson, Telfer, Prutton, Anders Svensson, Phillips, Crouch. Subs: Jakobsson, Beattie, Smith, Fernandes, Folly.

Referee: P Dowd (Staffordshire)