Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe begins a three-match ban after receiving a straight red card for violent conduct in the 2-1 win at Aston Villa and is set to be replaced by either Peter Crouch or Roman Pavlyuchenko. Midfielder Luka Modric was forced off with cramp late on but should figure, whilst defender William Gallas remains a doubt with a hamstring injury sustained over a fortnight ago. Newcastle skipper Kevin Nolan serves a one game ban after collecting his fifth booking of the season for a foul on James Milner during the 3-1 home defeat by Manchester City. Striker Shola Ameobi is likely to miss out once again with a hamstring injury, while Steve Harper is still working his way back to full fitness after shoulder surgery. Dan Gosling (knee), Ryan Taylor (ankle ligaments) and Hatem Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) remain on the injury list. Tottenham (from): Gomes, Hutton, Dawson, Bassong, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Palacios, Van der Vaart, Modric, Bale, Pavlyuchenko, Keane, Sandro, Crouch, Cudicini, Bentley, Giovani, Corluka, Jenas, Gallas. Newcastle (from): Harper, Krul, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, S. Taylor, Campbell, Kadar, Barton, Tiote, Smith, Routledge, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Tavernier, Donaldson, Carroll, Lovenkrands, Ranger, Xisco.
