Spurs bare at the back

Tottenham head coach Martin Jol faces something of a defensive injury crisis for Sunday’s Barclays Premiership game against Newcastle at White Hart Lane.

Central defender Michael Dawson is set to be included in the squad as Jol waits on injuries to Nourredine Naybet (hamstring) and Anthony Gardner (foot).

Jol has also lost full-backs Thimotee Atouba (suspension) and Noe Pamarot (knee) but at least has cover in Stephen Kelly and Eric Edman. Midfielder Pedro Mendes (broken toe) has been ruled out for the season, Simon Davies (calf) is struggling to be fit for Sunday and Reto Ziegler is still not 100% fit after a hamstring problem.

Provisional squad: Robinson, Cerny, Kelly, Gardner, King, Naybet, Edman, Dawson, Davies, Davis, Ziegler, Brown, Carrick, Defoe, Keane, Kanoute, Mido.