No matter which XI Ange Postecoglu picks for the game against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, he is going to have a depleted squad. The latest injury setback was reported on Saturday evening, with Dominic Solanke picking up a knee injury, which will leave him sidelined for the time being.
How Ange may line up against Everton at Goodison Park
So, how can we expect to see Spurs line up here? Some fans are expecting Ben Davies to be back, but Ange did try and play that down when he was asked about playing Davies in central defence, and Archie Gray in midfield. So perhaps not?
There is the possibility Gray comes out of the XI, though that feels unlikely. Will he return to full-back? Pedro Porro has played a hell of a lot this season, and Djed Spence has not played this much football since the 21/22 season in the Championship.
Spurs are light in midfield, but a double pivot of Lucas Bergvall and Pape Sarr feels about right for Ange. So, will Gray play at centre-half? Ange admitted a few weeks ago that Radu Dragusin was playing through an injury, and he has played every game since, so perhaps he comes out of the side?
It feels like he will want height at centre back against Everton. Whilst Gray is taller than you'd think, Dragusin is 6'3. So, we end up at full-back. The sensible idea would be to give Porro some rest, especially as someone who started at Tamworth, but you get the inkling that it will be Spence.
In attack, we will likely see Richarlison start up front against his former club, should he be 100% fit. You could play Heung-Min Son down the middle, but that does not sound ideal against an Everton low block. Not at all. However, if Richarlison is not 100% - there will be little choice.
Ideally, Richarlison can start, and play 60 minutes, with Son off the left. There is the possibility it will be Son through the middle, and Mikey Moore off the left, should Richarlison be unable to start. Overall, it feels like the Brazilian will start.
Theoretically, you could make the case for Richarlison up front, and Moore off the left, given the skipper played 90 minutes on Wednesday night, and there is an important Europa League game in midweek. We know what Ange is like though - and that is said as an Ange defender.
Then, on the right hand side, there is little other choice than Dejan Kulusevski, with Brennan Johnson a doubt. It is a shame because the Swede is in clear need of some rest. With him on the right hand side, this allows James Maddison to start in the number ten role.
Potential XI vs Everton: Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Gray; Bergvall, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Richarlison
Preferable XI; Kinsky; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Spence; Bergvall, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Richarlison.