Third-placed Everton will have in-form youngster Leon Osman back for the visit of Tottenham following the groin injury that kept him out of last Sunday's Barclays Premiership win at Portsmouth.

Defender Alan Stubbs, who was withdrawn from the Fratton Park game at the break with a head injury that required stitches, will be fit to face the Londoners in a defence that has not conceded a goal for 443 minutes of action.

Manager David Moyes must also decide whether to use midfielder Tim Cahill, who must leave straight after the game to fly to Australia for two World Cup qualifiers against the Solomon Islands.

He only returns a couple of days before the October 16 game at Southampton, and the Everton chief could consider resting him against Spurs.

Midfielders Sean Davis and Thimothee Atouba are back in the Tottenham squad for the trip to Everton but striker Frederic Kanoute is out with a hamstring injury and Michael Carrick still awaits his debut due to ankle problems.

Davis (knee) has missed the last four games and Atouba (leg) the last two. Both are likely substitutes although Cameroon star Atouba is the most likely to be plunged straight back in.

Young striker Lee Barnard, prolific lately in the reserves, and fit again Brazilian forward Edson Silva Sousa are candidates for Kanoute's spot after coach Jacques Santini started all his three senior strikers against Manchester United last week.

Teams

Everton (from): Martyn, Hibbert, Weir, Stubbs, Yobo, Pistone, Naysmith, Watson, Gravesen, Carsley, Cahill, Osman, Kilbane, Bent, Ferguson, Wright, Campbell, McFadden, Chadwick.

Tottenham (from): Robinson, Pamarot, Naybet, King, Edman, Atouba, Redknapp, Pedro Mendes, Mabizela, Davies, Davis, Jackson, Defoe, Keane, Gardner, Brown, Barnard, Sousa, Keller.