Spurs defender William Gallas has been ruled out of the Boxing Day clash with Aston Villa after failing a late fitness test.
The 33-year-old Frenchman has not played since straining a hamstring in Spurs' 3-3 draw with FC Twente in the Champions League on December 8, and it was hoped he could have played on Sunday.
Harry Redknapp's squad will be bolstered by the return of Rafael van der Vaart, Jermaine Jenas, Younes Kaboul and Niko Kranjcar, but Ledley King is short of match fitness after a groin injury and Jonathan Woodgate is still getting over his long-term groin problem.
