Malbranque set for debut

Tottenham midfielder Steed Malbranque could make his debut for the club in the Carling Cup fourth-round tie against Port Vale at White Hart Lane.

The 27-year-old Frenchman has not played for the club since moving from Fulham just before the transfer window shut for the winter, but he could play as Spurs look to rest players such as Ledley King and Pascal Chimbonda for the club’s third game in a week.

Paul Stalteri (knee), Calum Davenport (groin), Anthony Gardner (knee) and Lee Young-Pyo (ankle) are out of the clash against the League One side, while Teemu Tainio (hernia/foot) is stepping up his recovery. Dorian Dervite has been added to the squad.

Provisional squad: Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto, Davids, Jenas, Lennon, Huddlestone, Ziegler, Murphy, Defoe, Mido, Keane, Berbatov, Zokora, Ghaly, Dervite, Malbranque.