Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson are both out for several weeks with damaged ligaments, Heurelho Gomes (groin) is unlikely to be fit, while Jamie O'Hara (back) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) are long-term absentees.

Peter Crouch has shaken off a back strain, Luka Modric has recovered from a groin injury, David Bentley is fit after and ankle problem, while Spurs boss Harry Redknapp must decide whether to protect captain Ledley King's notoriously fragile knees for Tuesday night's Champions League Group A opener at Werder Bremen.

Provisional squad: Cudicini, King, Gallas, Hutton, Bale, Kaboul, Bassong, Corluka, Jenas, Assou-Ekotto, Sandro, Huddlestone, Lennon, Palacios, Kranjcar, Bentley, Modric, Van der Vaart, Dos Santos, Crouch, Keane, Pavyluchenko, Pletikosa.