TOTTENHAM v SUNDERLAND (Saturday, 15.00 GMT)
 
TOTTENHAM's comprehensive defeat in last weekend's north London derby has quietened talk of challenging the established top four.

But manager Harry Redknapp remains convinced his Spurs side have the ability to deliver on his pre-season target of a place in the Champions League.
 
There is little chance of that dream becoming a reality, however, if they defend like they did against Arsenal. Yet, while Redknapp was unhappy with the performance, he has spared his players an extended inquest.

"If you keep showing negative stuff, I think it can have an adverse effect on players," he said.
 
"If you keep telling people what they can't do, fear creeps in. They've got to go out and play against Sunderland, play with a freedom we always play at White Hart Lane. If we play the way we can, we are difficult to play against."
 
Sunderland's visit marks a first return for Darren Bent, whose departure from Tottenham threatened to turn messy when he expressed his frustration at the way his transfer was being handled via his Twitter page. But Redknapp insists there are no hard feelings.

"He had a go about the chairman, I don't know why," he said. "What he has to do is let his football do the talking. He's scoring goals so just get on with it. Keep scoring goals all year and get in the World Cup squad. Good luck to him."
 
Jermain Defoe is back after the three-match suspension he picked up after being sent off at Portsmouth and his manager has made it clear he expects the England striker to make up for his absence.

"I felt he's cost us quite dearly," Redknapp said. "He's back now and he's got to make it up to us now for being sent off and costing us some vital points. The other players are good players who came in, so you never know, but he may well have scored - especially in that Stoke game."
 
Strategy: After last week's shock, and having failed to score in their last two league games, Spurs would no doubt welcome the lift of an early goal. Redknapp's principle concern, though, will be to see his defence avoid the lapses in concentration that marred their trip to the Emirates Stadium.

With Sebastien Bassong out, Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King will be expected to employ all their experience to steady the ship, while Wilson Palacios will play a crucial role in front of the back four.

Defoe's return gives the attack a sharper cutting edge and it seems unlikely Spurs will draw a blank for a third successive league game.
 
Injury update: Aaron Lennon faces a late fitness test on an ankle problem and will return to the line up in place of David Bentley if he is available. Bassong will be out for up to a month after pulling a hamstring last week so Woodgate will start. Luka Modric is in light training but some way off a return.
 
SUNDERLAND manager Steve Bruce is tempted to start with two strikers who are back in familiar surroundings at White Hart Lane. Bent and Fraizer Campbell both had short and not entirely successful spells at Tottenham and could be in partnership here because Kenwyne Jones is suspended.
 
Bent will inevitably be the centre of attention after enduring an uncertain relationship with Redknapp, who eventually sold him for £10m. Bruce insisted:" Darren has nothing to prove and I hope there is no bad blood. I think he will just let his football do the talking.
 
"I don't know whether there was a personality clash, but what I do know is that we have a very happy striker who wanted to come to Sunderland and the North East.
 
"I liked him from the first time I saw him. Darren is good in the air, he is quick, works hard and is probably a better footballer than I thought he was. He plays and trains with a smile on his face. He is a very, very good player and a decent lad.
 
"He is also young and was desperate to do well so all those attributes appealed to me. There was never a hint of 'I don't want to come to Sunderland'. It's not Outer Mongolia, but for some people it's an issue. You would think we were on Planet Zeus up here."
 
Bent is certain to start and Bruce must decide whether to call up Campbell, who spent last season on loan at Spurs, scoring one goal in 10 appearances. Steed Malbranque is also returning to his former club.
 
Bruce remains an admirer of Tottenham, one of the teams he is targeting as he bids to firmly establish Sunderland in the top half of the table.
 
He said:"Whenever you play Spurs it is one of the glamour games of the season they have this tradition, history and swagger about them and it is a great place to go. Harry's job now is to have them competing in the top four. It will be difficult but he has a chance.
 
"They are one of seven who have been in the Premier League from the start, while we are one of 45 who have been up and down. Our main aim is to get established before we can be even compared to someone like Spurs."
 
Strategy: Bruce's natural instinct is to play with two strikers and try to put the Tottenham defence under pressure. But he is tempted to rethink his tactics after a disappointing performance at Birmingham in their last away game.

He explained:"We have very attacked-minded players who want to get forward. We may have to be defensive more but I have to see what is available and we will go from there."
 
Injury update: Bolo Zenden and John Mensah are still injured, which means youngsters Adam Reed and David Meyler are again added to Bruce's squad and are likely to be on the bench. Kenwyne Jones and Lorik Cana are also absent because of suspension, while Lee Cattermole is a long-term absentee.

Fran Houseman writes on behalf of Fanhouse UK