Man Utd and Spurs line out for key match

Alex Ferguson brought his Manchester United side to White Hart Lane knowing that, with Chelsea playing Everton later in the afternoon, only a victory would definitely prolong the dying embers of the Premiership race.

For Tottenham, however, the day began with the news that England central defender Ledley King will miss the rest of the season with a stress fracture of his left foot, an injury sustained in the victory against Everton on Saturday and which could see him miss the World Cup.

Calum Davenport stepped in for Martin Jol’s side, for whom a win would see them move seven points clear in fourth place and take a huge step in securing a Champions League spot next season with the crucial London derby against Arsenal to come next Saturday.

Tottenham: Robinson, Stalteri, Dawson, Davenport, Lee, Lennon, Jenas, Carrick, Davids, Keane, Defoe. Replacements: Naybet, Kelly, Murphy, Cerny, Barnard.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Park, O’Shea, Giggs, Ronaldo, Rooney, van Nistelrooy. Replacements: Howard, Evra, Heinze, Brown, Saha.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire)