Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is a major doubt with an ankle problem.
Jermaine Jenas could miss out with a calf injury, but Michael Dawson has returned to training after 10 weeks out with ligament damage.
Liverpool could be boosted by the return of Joe Cole after a month out with a hamstring injury.
Steven Gerrard is still a not ready for a return, although Lucas is back from his one game suspension.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp claimed his side could win the league after their stunning comeback victory at fierce rivals Ars*nal last week. Those words were also uttered by defender William Gallas following his controversial switch across north London during the summer.
Spurs have only ever been crowned champions of England twice, in 1951 and 1961, leading to the club's fans believing that years ending in a one are lucky for them. Perhaps Redknapp and Gallas can feel fate on their side.
In a campaign of inconsistencies for all Premier League sides, Redknapp knows Spurs need to discover a more ruthless streak to be considered genuine title challengers. So are Spurs realistic contenders? Redknapp's lit the touch paper, now it is down to his players, who secured the club's passage through to the last 16 of the Champions League in midweek.
If title-talk is fanciful for Tottenham, it is mythical for Liverpool and their fans these days. It is only 18 months ago that the Reds missed out on the title by four points, but that already seems like a distant memory. At this stage of that season they were 14 points better off than now.
At least there now appears to be genuine hope that Roy Hodgson can turn Liverpool's fortunes around. Thirteen points from the last six fixtures has the club looking towards the top end of the table rather than the bottom. His side may have lacked fight in their last away game at Stoke, but victory at Spurs by a two-goal margin would lift Liverpool above their opponents in the table. Then who would be the title challengers?
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