Well, in case anyone was wondering, it's 44ºF and rainy in Stoke on Trent right now. I think that's what it's always like in Stoke, but I can't be sure. It looks like some of our injury fears have been allayed. Gareth Bale is in the starting lineup for Tottenham Hotspur and Rafael Van der vaart, as expected, has also returned to the XI.

Jermain Defoe is fit enough to find a place on the bench along with Heurelhio Gomes and Giovani dos Santos. The latter two are noteworthy for different reasons. I can't remember the last time Gomes was in the 18 for a league game. I wonder if there's something wrong with Carlo Cudicini. Dos Santos returns after what seems to have been an injury layoff and maybe, just maybe we'll see him in this game. Ok, that previous sentence is a lie. We won't.

Meanwhile, Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has named an unchanged lineup for this match. Thomas Sorenson retains his place over Asmir Begovic, despite sustaining a concussion last week. Jonathan Woodgate will be playing at right back, with Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth in the center of defense.

Tottenham Hotspur XI (4-4-1-1): Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Modric, Parker, Bale; Van der Vaart; Adebayor

Subs: Gomes, Bassong, Corluka, Giovani, Pienaar, Sandro, Defoe.

Stoke City XI (4-4-2): Sorensen; Woodgate, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson; Shotton, Whelan, Whitehead, Etherington; Walters, Crouch

Subs: Begovic, Upson, Delap, Palacios, Jerome, Jones, Fuller.