Craig Bellamy should return in place of Shola Ameobi for the clash with Tottenham, after resting his knee injury at Bolton
But Sir Bobby will resist the temptation to make wholesale changes after the Boxing Day defeat, although Olivier Bernard may return for Steve Caldwell, with Aaron Hughes returning to the centre.
Jamie Redknapp and Les Ferdinand are definitely out for the visitors, while Dean Richards may return after an ankle injury.
Unfortunately Gustavo Poyet is fit and should start.
Squads
Us: Given, Harper, Griffin, Hughes, Bernard, O'Brien, S Caldwell, Dabizas, Speed, Dyer, Robert, Solano, Jenas, Acuna, Kerr, Shearer, Bellamy, Ameobi, LuaLua.
Spurs: Keller, Carr, Perry, King, Bunjevcevic, Red card Ziege, Anderton, Freund, Poyet, Sheringham, Keane, Davies, Iversen, Taricco, Richards, Clemence, Doherty, Sullivan.
Referee: Steve Bennett