TOTTENHAM are looking to end their three-match winless run by taking a step closer to Wembley when they face Stoke tonight.
Jose Mourinho knows the Carabao Cup provides him with the perfect opportunity to deliver silverware to the trophy-starved Spurs faithful.
Both Dele Alli and Gareth Bale could start for Spurs at Stoke
And with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea already out of the competition, he faces some big decisions on his starting line-up ahead of the trip to the Potteries.
The Portuguese boss has already stated he will field ‘a mixture’ of his usual Premier league and Europa League sides for the clash against the Championship outfit.
That could prove to be good news for both Dele Alli and Gareth Bale.
The England international has struggled for match action this term and continues to be linked with a transfer move away next month.
But he was left out of the squad for Sunday’s defeat to Leicester.
That could be due to Mourinho saving him for tonight – or it could just be another sign that Alli is set for further disappointment later.
Bale came on at the break against the Foxes and will be expecting to take his place in attack.
However, it remains to be seen whether Mourinho will continue to play Vinicius as striker or opt for Harry Kane.
Tottenham have mixed it about in the cup so far this season, but the boss will be desperate to get his hands on the trophy come April, and that could lead to him opting to keep the spine of his first-choice XI.
Hugo Lloris, Toby Alderweireld, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Kane are integral members of his line-up, and he may decide to start them all and make changes elsewhere.
Giovani Lo Celso suffered an injury at the weekend while Tanguy Ndombele was hooked at the break.
Both Erik Lamela and Japhet Tanganga have returned to light training but seem unlikely to be thrown straight back into action for the big quarter-final clash.
Mourinho must decide whether to start with Kane in attack
Serge Aurier endured a difficult afternoon against Leicester, which should see Matt Doherty step in to replace him at full-back.
Meanwhile, Ben Davies, Harry Winks and Davinson Sanchez will also be eyeing minutes – but the latter may miss out to Eric Dier.
Son Heung-Min, along with Kane, has been Tottenham’s best performer to date this campaign, but it seems that he is only likely to start on the bench.
And that could lead to Lucas Moura or Steven Bergwijn getting the nod to help Spurs try and seal a place in the last four.
Jose Mourinho receives inside information on shocking state of Stoke’s dressing room ahead of Carabao Cup clash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
