Tottenham vs Fulham preivew - Gallas back for Fulham clash

Posted Saturday, January 01, 2011 by PA

William Gallas is set to make a timely return to the Tottenham side for the Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham.

The defender, who had been skippering the side, has missed the last three and a half weeks with a hamstring strain and should replace Younes Kaboul, who starts a three-match ban.

Jermain Defoe is also suspended, Robbie Keane (hamstring) is doubtful and Carlo Cudicini is out with a shoulder problem while Tom Huddlestone (ankle), Ledley King (groin), Jamie O'Hara (back) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) remain sidelined.

Harry Redknapp has revealed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy had been urging him to splash the cash in the January transfer window.

It was widely thought Spurs needed to sell before they could buy when the window opens, but it now appears Levy is ready to bankroll the club's push for a second straight Champions League campaign and even a tilt at the Btitle.

Manager Redknapp is eager to reinforce his squad but is reluctant to make signings just for the sake of it, admitting finding the right players was proving difficult.

"The owner would like me in all honesty to go and spend his money and buy somebody who could make the difference," he said.

"But I don't know where that player is.

"I know where they are but they're not for sale - we can't go and buy the people that you'd put your life on.

"Anybody whose got anybody who's real top class, they don't want to sell them at this stage of the season.

"We're not in the situation where we need to panic buy.

"Unless it's somebody who's going to make a difference to the team then we really wouldn't bother."

Fulham striker Moussa Dembele is likely to miss out as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Dembele has missed the last seven weeks with the knock but Cottagers boss Mark Hughes is confident that the striker will return for the January 4 match against West Brom.

Mark Schwarzer will play his last game before flying out to the Asian Cup with Australia while Fulham will be without long-term absentees Matthew Briggs (calf), Bobby Zamora (leg) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles).