Parker boost for Spurs

Scott Parker and Benoit Assou-Ekotto have returned to first-team training and could feature in Tottenham’s Barclays Premier League game against Swansea.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas said Parker, who has not played this season due to an Achilles injury, and Assou-Ekotto, who has been out for three months with a knee problem, could feature this weekend, but hinted that they are more likely to be on the bench than in the starting XI.

Winger Gareth Bale (hamstring) will train tomorrow, but is unlikely to feature, and Younes Kaboul (knee) is out, but captain Michael Dawson is likely to feature after overcoming his hamstring injury.

Provisional squad: Friedel, Lloris, Gomes, Cudicini, Walker, Naughton, Assou-Ekotto, Gallas, Caulker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Lennon, Sigurdsson, Townsend, Falque, Carroll, Mason, Livermore, Sandro, Huddlestone, Dembele, Parker, Dempsey, Adebayor, Defoe.