Andy Wilkinson is primed to return to Stoke's defence for Saturday's Barclays Premier League game at Tottenham as Robert Huth starts a three-match ban.

The German defender lashed out at West Ham's Matthew Upson last weekend and Wilkinson, who lost his place after Huth's arrival from Middlesbrough, is eager to deputise.

Glenn Whelan could return to Stoke's midfield after his exploits for the Republic of Ireland, but his international team-mate Liam Lawrence is a doubt after missing training with a virus.

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is suspended for after getting sent off against Portsmouth last weekend.

Giovani dos Santos (ankle) and Luke Modric (fractured leg) are on the sidelines for the clash at White Hart Lane.

Michael Dawson (Achilles) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) are close to full fitness and add options in defence for Spurs boss Harry Redknapp.

Teams:

Tottenham (from): Gomes, Cudicini, Corluka, Hutton, Naughton, Assou-Ekotto, Bale, Bassong, King, Woodgate, Dawson, Lennon, Bentley, Jenas, Palacios, Huddlestone, Kranjcar, Keane, Pavlyuchenko, Crouch.

Stoke (from): Sorensen, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Collins, Delap, Diao, Whitehead, Whelan, Etherington, Beattie, Fuller, Simonsen, Higginbotham, Tuncay, Lawrence, Pugh, Cort, Griffin.