Defoe on subs bench

England striker Jermain Defoe was again included among the Tottenham substitutes for the Barclays Premiership clash with Sunderland at White Hart Lane.

Spurs head coach Martin Jol this week denied there was a rift with Defoe after dropping him to the bench for Tottenham’s home draw with West Ham and away victory at Wigan.

Defoe has scored just one goal in 14 games and Jol opted to continue with Robbie Keane and Mido together up front in an unchanged side.

Sunderland featured two changes form the side beaten by Liverpool as they arrived in north London on the back of eight straight defeats.

Martin Woods returned to the side as Tommy Miller missed out with a hamstring strain and Nyron Nosworthy came in for Liam Lawrence, who dropped to the bench.

Tottenham v Sunderland Tottenham: Robinson, Stalteri, Dawson, King, Lee, Jenas, Carrick, Davids, Tainio, Mido, Keane. Subs: Cerny, Pamarot, Defoe, Reid, Lennon.

Sunderland: Alnwick, Collins, Breen, Caldwell, Nosworthy, Whitehead, Bassila, Woods, Hoyte, Stead, Brown. Subs: Davis, Lawrence, Welsh, Le Tallec, Gray.

Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire)