Wolves v Tottenham

Last updated : 04 March 2011 By BBC Sport

Tottenham pair Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart remain unavailable but hope to return for the Champions League tie against AC Milan in midweek.

Defender Ledley King is back in training after a groin injury but is unlikely to play on Sunday.

Wolves

Doubtful: Hunt (calf)

Injured/unavailable: Guedioura (broken leg), Kightly & Mancienne (both knee), O'Hara (ineligible)

Tottenham

Doubtful: King (groin)

Injured: Bale (back), Corluka & Huddlestone (both ankle), Kaboul (knee), Van der Vaart (calf), Woodgate (groin)

MATCH PREVIEW

The season's ambition of these clubs differ greatly, but their sorrow will be shared ahead of kick-off when they honour the memory of Dean Richards.

Richards, who played as a defender for both clubs, died last weekend aged 36 after a long illness. He became a firm favourite at Wolves following his move from Bradford in 1995, playing 145 games before joining Southampton. He signed for Tottenham in 2001 for ?8.1m - a then-record fee for an uncapped English player - and made 81 appearances for the club before being forced to retire as he was suffering from dizzy spells and headaches.

Richards' wife and two sons are due to attend Sunday's game, and a representative from each of his four former clubs will hold aloft their team's shirt in the centre circle prior to a minute's applause before kick-off.

The game itself is an opportunity for Wolves to climb out of the relegation zone, and for Tottenham to bolster their chances of a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. Spurs will be playing for the first time in 12 days since a 3-1 defeat at Blackpool, who Wolves thrashed 4-0 last weekend to move off the bottom.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• This is the 80th league meeting between the clubs. Tottenham lead by 39 wins to 26.

• Spurs have won three of their last four league games at Wolves.

Wolves

• They have won three of their previous four league games at Molineux in 2011 - against Chelsea, Manchester United and Blackpool. The 4-0 win over Blackpool was their biggest in the top flight for 31 years.

• Mick McCarthy's side are looking to win three consecutive home matches in the top flight for the first time in over 30 years.

• Six of their eight league victories this season have come against top-half opposition.

• Karl Henry is poised to make his 300th English league appearance.

Tottenham

• Spurs have won six Premier League away games this season - only Arsenal (seven) have a better record. They have scored in each of their last nine league away matches.

• Harry Redknapp's side have gained an unrivalled 20 points from losing positions.

• Jermain Defoe should make his 300th Premier League appearance. He has scored 97 goals.

• Benoit Assou-Ekotto has made 99 Premier League starts for Spurs.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Wolves

Ebanks-Blake: 6 goals 6 league); Fletcher: 6 goals (4 league); Doyle: 6 goals (3 league)

Tottenham

Van der Vaart: 12 goals (10 league); Bale: 11 goals (7 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Mark Halsey

Assistant referees: Simon Long & Mike Mullarkey

Fourth official: Chris Foy

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Wolves (W4-0 v Blackpool, h): Hennessey; Zubar (Ebanks-Blake 56), Stearman, Berra, Elokobi, Hammill (Foley 36), Henry, Edwards (Ward 66), Jarvis, O'Hara, Doyle. Subs not used: Hahnemann, Craddock, Fletcher, Milijas.

Tottenham (L1-3 v Blackpool, a): Gomes; Bassong (Crouch 73), Gallas, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Modric, Palacios (Jenas 46), Pienaar (Kranjcar 59), Defoe, Pavlyuchenko. Subs not used: Cudicini, Khumalo, Rose, Sandro.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport