Spurs face Bremen without van der Vaart

Rafael van der Vaart failed to recover from an ankle injury as Tottenham looked to seal their place in the Champions League knockout stages in tonight’s Group A clash with Werder Bremen.

But fellow midfielder Gareth Bale was passed fit after a shoulder knock, meaning manager Harry Redknapp made just one change from Saturday’s north London derby, recalling Peter Crouch in a two-man attack.

Injury-ravaged Bremen, who needed to win tonight to keep their own last-16 hopes alive, handed debuts to attacking midfielder Felix Kroos and defender Dominik Schmidt, as well as recalling Sandro Wagner and and Daniel Jensen.

Tottenham: Gomes, Hutton, Gallas, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Jenas, Modric, Bale, Pavlyuchenko, Crouch.

Subs: Cudicini, Keane, Palacios, Defoe, Bassong, Kranjcar, Corluka.

Werder Bremen: Wiese, Fritz, Mertesacker, Prodl, Schmidt, Kroos, Jensen, Bargfrede, Marin, Hunt, Wagner.

Subs: Mielitz, Pasanen, Huseinovic, Andersen, Thy, Testroet, Ayik.

Referee: Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal)