Latics Vs Spurs Preview

Latics go into this second meeting with Spurs in the space of 10 days with all the big guns back and raring to go.

The FA cup game down at White Hart Lane will have no bearing whatsoever on this match with both clubs making changes to the to sides that faced each other that Friday night.

Spurs welcome back prodigal son Jermaine DeFoe who has just re-joined the club from Portsmouth and said that he wanted to be playing for manager Harry Redknapp, good job Redknapp didn`t get the vacant managers job at Hartlepool then.

The Latics also have forwards returning for this game with both Zaki and Heskey fit Henri Camara, who got Latics goal in the cup defeat, will be dropped down to the bench.

Todays game gives the Latics a chance to cement their place in the top half of the table with Steve Bruces side having two games in hand on most of the clubs around them and still occupying seventh spot, the big test will surely come on Wednesday when the Latics travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United

Latics boss Steve Bruce

'We are riding high but if you lose your big players your dressing room loses that edge.

'The last thing I want to be doing is dismantling the squad so we have just to say 'no, they are not for sale no matter what you offer'.

'We have had no offers for anyone at the moment and I hope that continues.'

Latics have no injuries worries or suspensions to contend with.

Latics from:

Kirkland, Pollitt, Melchiot, Taylor, Bramble, Scharner, Boyce, Figueroa, Cattermole, Valencia, Brown, Palacios, Koumas, Heskey, Zaki, Camara, Kilbane, Kingson, De Ridder, Kapo.

A goal in each of his last two games, the Egyptian hot shot is back in form

Benoit Assou-Ekotto is suspended but Spurs have everyone else available

Spurs from:

Gomes, Cesar, Alnwick, Corluka, Gunter, Bale, Dawson, King, Woodgate, Rocha, Jenas, Huddlestone, Zokora, Modric, O'Hara, Lennon, Bentley, Boateng, Taarabt, Bent, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko, Campbell

DeFoe makes his big money return to White Hart Lane and he will be desperate to make a flying start

Last season

Latics 1-1 Spurs
Referee Lee Probert
12/04/08

Total League Games

Latics 0 wins, Spurs 3, Draws 4

Andre Marriner (West Midlands)

Card Watch

Games - 13

Yellows - 48

Reds - 4

Heart says comfortable Latics 2-0 win

Head says nervy 1-1

Premier League Fixtures:

Manchester United Vs Latics
Old Trafford
Wednesday 14/01/09
8pm

Manchester City Vs Latics
Eastlands
Saturday 17/01/09
3pm

Latics Vs Liverpool
JJB
Wednesday 28/01/09
8 pm