Jenas gets the nod for Spurs

Jermaine Jenas is a surprise starter for Tottenham’s first ever game in the Champions League proper at Werder Bremen tonight.

Playing just his second game of the season after being repeatedly linked with a move away from White Hart Lane this summer, the midfielder comes in for the injured Luka Modric as manager Harry Redknapp kept his pledge to field a 4-5-1 formation away from home in Europe.

As expected, Peter Crouch is recalled to fill the lone striker berth, Benoit Assou-Ekotto was restored at left-back, and Ledley King returned to lead the side for the Group A opener after being rested for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League 1-1 draw at West Brom.

Bremen made one change from their goalless Bundesliga draw at Bayern Munich three days earlier, drafting in Hugo Almeida for Aaron Hunt.

Werder Bremen: Wiese, Fritz, Pasanen, Prodl, Silvestre, Frings, Bargfrede, Marin, Wesley, Arnautovic, Hugo Almeida.

Subs: Mielitz, Boenisch, Borowski, Hunt, Huseinovic, Wagner, Jensen.

Tottenham: Cudicini, Corluka, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Lennon, Jenas, Bale, Van der Vaart, Crouch.

Subs: Pletikosa, Pavlyuchenko, Keane, Palacios, Gallas, Bassong, Kranjcar.

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)