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| Woodgate says confidence is low at White Hart Lane [GALLO/GETTY] |
Tottenham Hotspur are ravaged by injury and suspension as they go into a must-win game against Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League this weekend.
Bottom of the standings with two points from eight matches, Tottenham now have to overcome the suspension of Gareth Bale and Michael Dawson because of unnecessary red cards last weekend, and the probable absence through injury of Vedran Corluka and captain Ledley King.
Jonathan Woodgate could also be out of the match at White Hart Lane after injuring his groin in Thursday's 2-0 Uefa Cup loss at Udinese, leaving Alan Hutton as the only first-choice defender fit to face a combative and increasingly skilful Bolton side.
Woodgate's former club Leeds suffered a similar fall from grace – going from Champions League semi-finalists in 2000 to relegation four years later – and the England defender can see similarities.
Worse than Leeds
"We are worse than Leeds at the moment and we need a kick," Woodgate said. "It's mental and physical. If you don't have a winning mentality you have a losing mentality, and we've got that at the moment."
Even a first league win of the season wouldn't lift Tottenham out of the relegation zone as a first demotion since 1977 looks more and more likely.
Defeat on Sunday could leave Tottenham as much as seven points adrift of 19th place if Newcastle win at Sunderland on Saturday, and Stoke win at Manchester City the following day.
Trinidad & Tobago striker Kenwyne Jones is in line for a return for Sunderland against north east rivals Newcastle United.
Jones has been out of action for nearly five months with a knee injury but played for the reserves in midweek.
Newcastle are still without Michael Owen, who has a groin strain.
Home comforts for Chelsea
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| No such problems for Scolari [GALLO/GETTY] |
At the top of the standings, Chelsea defend their record 86-match unbeaten home streak against the team they lead on goal difference – Liverpool.
"There is pressure on all clubs but on Sunday it's more for Chelsea than Liverpool because we are playing at home," manager Luiz Felipe Scolari said.
"People and the press put more pressure on teams at home. We need to win on Sunday."
But the Blues' concerns over Sunday's match may have abated slightly with the news that Robbie Keane could join fellow Liverpool striker Fernando Torres on the sidelines because of injury.
Chelsea could have England defender Ashley Cole back from a hamstring injury.
Evra ready
Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra will return for Manchester United against Everton after missing Tuesday's Champions League win over Celtic, while Wayne Rooney could continue up front after his streak of nine goals in seven matches.
Rooney will be looking to score the 100th club goal of his career when United visit his former club on Saturday.
Defenders William Gallas and Kolo Toure are both available for Arsenal's London derby at West Ham United on Sunday.
Toure has recovered from a shoulder injury while Gallas is fit after a hamstring strain kept him out of the Champions League win at Fenerbahce in midweek.
Bacary Sagna (knee) is unlikely to play a part.
Santa struggling
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| Santa Cruz is hoping to be present for Rovers against Boro [GALLO/GETTY] |
Paraguayan Roque Santa Cruz is struggling to be fit for Blackburn Rovers' match against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The striker is still troubled by a hamstring injury. Rovers are also checking on the fitness of Christopher Samba who hurt himself when he collided with a post at Bolton last week.
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate could make several changes from the side thrashed 5-0 at home by Chelsea last week.
Captain Emanuel Pogatetz is available after a three-match ban while striker Tuncay, Julio Arca and Justin Hoyte are all back in contention for a starting place.
Third-placed Hull City have a virtual full-strength squad for their trip to West Bromwich Albion.
"The body count we've got at the moment is frightening," manager Phil Brown told the club's website.
Villa get knees knock
Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is a major doubt for his club's trip to Wigan Athletic on Sunday after being injured in the final minute of the Uefa Cup win against Ajax on Thursday. Agbonlahor is nursing cuts to both knees.
England striker Emile Heskey is set to return to partner Amr Zaki up front for Latics.
Manchester City could be without defender Micah Richards for the home match against Stoke City on Sunday.
Richards was taken off against Newcastle on Monday with an ankle injury and, according to manager Mark Hughes, it is still swollen.
City are also without suspended Pablo Zabaleta, and striker Darius Vassell is doubtful.
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