Tottenham v Wigan Preview: Robbie Keane Waits for Manager's Verdict

White Hart Lane, Sunday 1500GMT

TOTTENHAM:
This is a game that hasn't come soon enough for many supporters who see no need for a Sunday kick-off when Saturday would have suited them much better, especially those travelling down from the north west of England..

The international break was the reason, with the clubs deciding as soon as the fixtures came out that both were likely to have plenty of key men in action during the last phase of World Cup qualification and would therefore appreciate a rest. In the end, though, most were used only in friendly fire.

That does not apply to Robbie Keane of course, with the Republic of Ireland striker still smarting from his nation's controversial play-off ousting in France courtesy of Thierry Henry's handball.

Manager Harry Redknapp is full of sympathy for his captain and the Irish team. "It was disappointing to see," said the Spurs manager. "They had worked so hard and played so well. To go out of the World Cup to such a disputed goal must have been a massive disappointment."

Redknapp will check on Keane's fitness and mental state before deciding whether to include him against Wigan. "It was a tough game, with extra time," said Redknapp. "Robbie's been working with our fitness guy, having a stretch and a massage."

Strategy: If Keane receives the go-ahead, expect Redknapp to field his strongest available side if only to make a point to those he doesn't pick. The Spurs boss has been needled by fringe men getting their agents to badger the chairman on why they aren't playing, instead of the players in question knocking on his office door to find out themselves. As always, the emphasis will be on attack.

Injury news: Spurs were hoping play-maker Luka Modric would be able use this fixture to make a comeback from the broken leg suffered in August but the Croatian has yet to resume full training. As ever with Spurs, it's also a case of seeing how many centre-backs are fit and choosing two and so far only Ledley King has been ruled out with a hamstring problem. Winger Aaron Lennon is fit again however and should oust David Bentley.

WIGAN ATHLETIC:

And the award for Most Frustrated Premier League Manager goes to. . . .Wigan's Roberto Martinez. The Spaniard has endured a rollercoaster of emotions in his first five months in the job.

Beaten by Hull and Wolves, yet triumphant against Chelsea; crushed by Portsmouth, but Wigan still the only team to leave Turf Moor and Villa Park with three league points. No wonder Martinez claims he is learning more and more about his players each and every day, although most crystal clear thing about them is that they most inconsistent team in the top flight.

It is driving Martinez crazy and he admits:"From a football point of view it doesn't make sense. We are the only team to beat Burnley at Turf Moor while we have also beaten Aston Villa away and defeated Chelsea.

"Yet we've lost to teams such as Portsmouth, Hull and Wolves who, with all due respect, haven't had the best results over the last few months. That's disappointing, but it shows if we reach our potential we can beat anyone in the Premier League. At the same time, we can be beaten by anyone."

Strategy: To stop Wilson Palacios, their former midfielder, from getting one over on his old club. Palacios, who will feature in next summer's World Cup with Honduras, established himself as a cult hero in the 12 months he was at the club. Bought for £1m from south America's Olimpia, Palacios was sold to Tottenham for £12m.

But the tidy profit Wigan made had a downside. Following Palacios's exit last January, they managed just three wins from their remaining 16 matches as they slid out of contention for a place in Europe and eventually finished 11th.

This is the first time Wigan have faced Palacios since his exit. His replacement, Mohamed Diame, has recovered from a slow start to establish himself firmly in Martinez's plans. The French-born player has attracted rave reviews recently and will be desperate to show that Palacios is not missed at Wigan.

Injury Update: Maynor Figueroa remains sidelined with a knee injury while Hendry Thomas, his team-mate in the Honduras national side, was delayed returning from his country's 2-1 defeat to Peru in the United States. Thomas had still not arrived back on Friday lunchtime although he is expected to feature at White Hart Lane.

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