Tottenham Hotspur are set to make a late call on the fitness of Richarlison ahead of Saturday lunchtime's Premier League encounter with Newcastle United at St James' Park.
The Brazilian attacker was forced to miss last weekend's 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest due to a knee injury and, at the time of writing, it remains to be seen whether he will be fit to return to the matchday squad against the Magpies.
Ange Postecoglou will definitely be without three players as Fraser Forster (foot), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) and Manor Solomon (knee) all remain long-term absentees.
Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven were both on the scoresheet against Forest and they are expected to retain their places in the back four alongside Christian Romero and Destiny Udogie, protecting goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Considering Postecoglou has fielded 19 different centre-midfield combinations this season, rotation in the middle of the pitch could be on the cards this weekend, with Rodrigo Bentancur, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Giovani Lo Celso all pushing to start as Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr bid to retain their places in the first XI.
James Maddison is set to continue in the number 10 role, though, while Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner, who impressed in the win over Forest, may have done enough to start again on the wings, forcing Dejan Kulusevski to remain on the bench.
Son Heung-min scored once and registered two assists in Tottenham's 4-1 home win over Newcastle four months ago, and he is expected to lead the line as captain, although a potential return for Richarlison could see the South Korean moved out wide.
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Bissouma; Johnson, Maddison, Werner; Son
Oliver Thomas
