Hull City''s Steve Bruce has limited choice but to field a strongly weakened team against Spurs in their next game in the 4th Round of the Capital One Cup.
City have a decent first eleven and half a sub''s bench but that''s about it. Spurs can field two quality teams with a value of £275M so it''s an uphill battle and will come down to graft and determination..And of course, correct refereeing decisions.
On the Tigers second trip to the Lane in less than a week, City is already missing a number of vital players. McGregor in goal who is sporting a knee injury, talented central defender Chester who has a "hammy", Sone Alluko who is hobbling about with a baby cow injury (Calf) and misfiring striker Danny Graham who is still suffering from Everton''s Barry ward 9 tackle which took his knee just over a week ago.
Jake Livermore will be yet again an onlooker as he''s cup tied with Spurs and as City face a resurging Sunderland at the weekend, it is doubtful that Koren and Brady are likely to start although Koren, who is just about recovered from his broken foot is keen to get match fit.
The big question is, does Bruce risk on form and previous MOTM Curtiss Davis and central midfielder Tom Huddlestone in the hope of reaching the next round or should he rest them to help pick up three must have points, not to mention bragging rights against the Black Cats in a few days time? Even Sagbo would be a good player to rest as I can see a team in the not too distant future who''s goal keeper will be sick of picking his shots from the back of the net
Whatever the team, we have been shown that every man in a black & amber shirt will bleed for their position and put in a shift worthy of the gritty performances we have seen so far. On a posative note, Spurs will also be fielding a second string side not wishing to weaken their core and ambition of securing a top 4 finish at the season end.
City players realistically available for the cup game, so take your pick -
Harper, Jakupovic, McShane, Faye, Davies, Rosenior, Elmohamady, Bruce, Boyd, Quinn, Brady, Huddlestone, Meyler, Koren, Sagbo, Gedo, Proschwitz, McLean
Once again, let''s hope we have a ref who''s able to make judgments on actual incidents and not crowd reaction.