Tottenham Hotspur vs Hull City preview - Spurs duo to sit out Hull clash

Posted Saturday, October 26, 2013 by PA

Danny Rose and Younes Kaboul are set to miss Tottenham's Barclays Premier League clash with Hull.

The pair on the verge of a return after toe and adductor complaints respectively, but Andre Villas-Boas does not expect to have them for Sunday's return to domestic action.

Etienne Capoue is also likely to miss out, while Zeki Fryers is a doubt after limping off in the first-half of Thursday's Europa League victory at Sheriff Tiraspol. Kyle Walker, Andros Townsend and Paulinho will return to the fold, having been rested for the trip to the Moldovan champions.

The clash with Hull will also see a familiar face return to White Hart Lane for the first time since leaving in the summer.

Tom Huddlestone joined the Tigers in search of regular first-team football, having become a popular figure at Tottenham during his eight seasons there.

Huddlestone still has a lot of friends in north London and, while fellow midfielder Sandro is one of those, he will not be giving him any particular welcome.

Asked if he will text him before the match, Sandro said with a smile: "No, but will kick him if I play.

"We had a good friendship. I like him. It will be good to see him again, playing against me and against Tottenham.

"I think it will be a hard for him at first because he did well here and spent a lot of time with Tottenham. When the supporters see him, it will be nice."

Hull manager Steve Bruce has vented his fury after two challenges from Everton's Gareth Barry last weekend added to his growing injury crisis.

Bruce, who already has James Chester, Allan McGregor and Robert Koren in the treatment room ahead of Sunday's match, will also be without forwards Sone Aluko and Danny Graham - each of whom were on the receiving end of poor challenges by Barry last Saturday.

Barry was not penalised for the tackle which has left Graham out for three weeks and appeared fortunate to get away with a caution for a studs-up lunge on Aluko later in the game.

Bruce, who cannot call on Jake Livermore against his parent club and may also be without Robbie Brady (hernia), was strongly critical of both Barry and referee Neil Swarbrick's contributions at Goodison Park.

"I know how difficult it is for referees and linesmen and the last thing I want to do is complain about the referees...but the big decisions went against us last week. They were two horrible tackles," he said.

"There should have been a red card. End of story. The challenge on Aluko was reckless, dangerous and could have really injured him.

"In that respect we expect referees to do their jobs, especially in the Premier League.

"These lads are professional now, so to miss something like that concerns me. We could all miss an offside, it happens, but a tackle like that when you're 12 yards away? I was 30 yards away and I was incensed.

"Graham could have been out for three of four months, not weeks, so we have to stamp that out. But the tackle on Aluko, that's the one that really does break people's legs and does them damage for more than a couple of weeks.

"I can't see Graham being available for a few weeks and I don't think Aluko will play. His was a challenge he hasn't really recovered from, but thankfully he's not too badly injured."