- Jul 27, 2004
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As we go looking for our second away league win of the season up at Pride Park. With King apparently being rested until the CC Final it may signal a return to CB duties for Chimbonda with Hutton looking more than comfortable after his first game for us against Man Utd. As our management team have said that this game is probably more important than the Mn Utd game because it is easy to be up for a game against Man Utd but, we will need show the same level at Derby that did last week.
The Official Site Team News:
Jonathan Woodgate is suspended for Saturday’s match against Derby County in the Barclays Premier League at Pride Park.
The defender picked up his fifth yellow card against United and sits it out for one match.
Ledley King is rested for this fixture while Didier Zokora remains on international duty for the Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations. He plays in the third/fourth place play-off against Ghana on Saturday.
Good news sees long-term injured Gareth Bale and Benoit Assou-Ekotto begin their rehabilitation, although both are out for the season.
Meanwhile, we can confirm that the Club has applied to enter next season's Intertoto Cup. The Football Association is allowed one entrant being the highest placed of the four clubs finishing immediately outside the automatic European qualifying places.
Skysports.com Preview:
Bottom-of-the-league Derby host Tottenham on Saturday with manager Paul Jewell calling on his sinking Rams side to rescue some pride.
Popular opinion suggests that Derby are as good as gone in the battle to avoid Premier League relegation and it appears all that is left is a desperate scramble to avoid Sunderland's unwanted record of a lowly 15 points in a single season.
And Jewell, who has yet to sample a league win as Rams boss, is now desperate for his side to renew a sense of realism to the club's Pride Park stadium title.
Tottenham, though, are unlikely to be in a charitable mood as they aim to continue their renaissance under Juande Ramos, but even three points would not see Spurs break into the top half of the table.
Davis absence
Derby will be without defender Claude Davis, who is set to go under the knife on Friday in attempt to cure an ongoing knee problem.
The Rams will also be missing Tyrone Mears (shin), who is unlikely to return to fitness until the end of the season, and Jay McEveley (knee).
Premier League regulations also prevent loan signing Hossam Ghaly from playing against his parent club.
However, Jewell could welcome back David Jones who has not featured for Derby since November following a hernia problem.
Bale blow
Stephen Pearson should be involved after training on Thursday as the Rams look to build on draws in their last two games against Birmingham and Manchester City.
Tom Huddlestone will line-up for Tottenham against his old club, while Jermaine Jenas will hope to reproduce his England goalscoring performance at Pride Park.
Gareth Bale is expected to miss the rest of the season with his troublesome knee injury, which suggests Tottenham's defence will remain unchanged.
January signings Jonathan Woodgate, Alan Hutton and Gilberto will therefore maintain their places.
Strike partnership Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane came through their respective midweek internationals unscathed and should continue to lead the Spurs line.
BBC Match Squads (take with a pinch of salt):
Tottenham Squad (from): Cerny, Robinson, Hutton, Chimbonda, Lee, Gilberto, Kaboul, King, Dawson, Rocha, Gunter, Tainio, Jenas, Malbranque, Boateng, Taarabt, Huddlestone, O'Hara, Lennon, Berbatov, Keane, Bent.
Derby Squad (from): Carroll, Leacock, Moore, Todd, Stubbs, Edworthy, Teale, Savage, Fagan, Pearson, Jones, Miller, Earnshaw, Villa, Robert, Price, Barnes, Sterjovski.
Interesting Stats:
Derby
Just 13 games remain to get the seven points they need to avoid officially becoming the worst side in Premier League history. That dubious distinction is currently held by Sunderland with just 15 points and a goal difference of -43, from the 2005-06 campaign.
Without victory in 19 league games, claiming five points from a last possible 57 since beating Newcastle 1-0 at home on 17 September.
The only club with just one Premier League win and 18 defeats, so far this season; dropping an unparalleled 66 points.
Kept just two clean sheets in this Premier League campaign, against Newcastle (h) and Fulham (a). Every other club have managed more.
Spurs
Lost one of the last six in all competitions.
Scored 45 Premier League goals; only Arsenal (52) and Manchester United (49) have netted more.
No club has conceded more Premier League goals in stoppage time (seven).
Won only one away league game; their 0-1 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park on 15 December has been followed by three defeats and one draw on the road.
The Uefa Cup campaign resumes after this, with away and home ties against Slavia Prague. Then it's the Carling Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley. :dance:
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Right, that's enough fuel for this fixture, kick off is at 15:00 GMT - check [thread=26975]Geez's Media Coverage Thread[/thread] for watching and listening options.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]
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