Everton risk being drawn into a relegation scrap ahead of their home clash with high-flying Tottenham.
The Toffees have established themselves as regular qualifiers for European competition in recent years but they have made a disappointing start to the new campaign and are hovering perilously just above the relegation zone, with 15 points from 14 matches
In their last six outings, the Toffees have won only one and drawn three, having scored six and conceded an alarming 7 goals in these games.
David Moyes' plans have been thrown into turmoil by an injury curse that shows no sign of relenting, with three more players struck down in the midweek Europa League match against AEK Athens.
Centre-back Sylvain Distin and midfielder Dan Gosling both sustained hamstring injuries in the midweek Europa League victory over AEK Athens with Distin a major doubt.
Brazilian striker Jo also picked up a minor knee injury in Greece but he is expected to recover in time.
Joseph Yobo missed the European clash with a hamstring problem and is unlikely to feature while fellow defender Johnny Heitinga serves a one-match suspension after receiving his fifth booking of the season in last week's Merseyside derby defeat.
However, Spurs have dropped just two points from a possible 21 against teams in the bottom half of the table.
They will fancy their chances of a goal or two despite failing to score in midweek as they’ve netted 12 times in the last three league games while Everton have kept just one clean-sheet at home all season.
Although Spurs don’t have the best of recent records against Everton, as the Toffees are unbeaten in their last four league meetings home and away (2 wins) against this weekend’s opponents, Harry’s side beat Everton relatively comfortably at White Hart Lane in the Carling Cup this season.
So if Spurs are going to break the big four monopoly this season then this is the sort of match they must be winning as a record of one win in their last 5 away is not overly impressive.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will be without Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate. King has been troubled by a hamstring injury and Woodgate is struggling to shake off a groin complaint, and they join Luka Modric on the sidelines.
Niko Kranjcar is back after being cup-tied for the midweek Carling Cup defeat at Manchester United.
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