How Tottenham Hotspur could line up against Manchester City

The Lilywhites will definitely be without international trio Pape Sarr, Yves Bissouma and Son Heung-min, while Dane Scarlett (unspecified), Alejo Veliz (knee), Giovani Lo Celso (thigh) and Ben Davies (thigh) have no chance of returning either.

However, both of James Maddison (ankle) and Manor Solomon (knee) are rumoured to be eyeing returns from their lengthy layoffs on Friday, although Ange Postecoglou is yet to confirm whether either of them will indeed be passed fit.

One player who should definitely be given the green light to play is Micky van de Ven, whose enforced substitution against Manchester United two weekends ago was only down to cramp, while Dejan Kulusevski (illness) and Ryan Sessegnon (thigh) ought to be back as well.

With Van de Ven raring to go, Radu Dragusin will likely be kept waiting for his full Spurs debut, as the Dutchman links arms with regular partner Cristian Romero as Guglielmo Vicario's central barrier.

Pedro Porro's wonder goal got the job done against Burnley in the third round, and the former City youngster should bomb down the right against his old team while Destiny Udogie occupies his familiar left-back role.

Should Kulusevski's illness clear up in time for Friday's battle, Oliver Skipp may be the unlucky man sacrificed for the returning Swede, as Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg partner up in the middle again.

A second successive start should come the way of RB Leipzig loanee Timo Werner, though, while Richarlison and Brennan Johnson are sure to retain their places in attack, unless Maddison and/or Solomon defy the odds and force their way into the XI.

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Hojbjerg, Bentancur; Johnson, Kulusevski, Werner; Richarlison