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Old 17-01-2007, 14:54
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Re: FA Cup: 16/17th Jan

Spurs v Cardiff
Taken from sky..
Tottenham will hope to overcome Cardiff at the second attempt as they entertain the Championship side in an FA Cup third round replay on Wednesday.


Cardiff held Spurs to a goalless draw at Ninian Park earlier in the month but have struggled in the league in recent times and have not won a match since beating Burnley on November 11.

Spurs have also run into some poor in the Premiership since Christmas and have lost their last two games at White Hart Lane.

However, their record in cup competitions has been superb this season as they have progressed smoothly in both the Uefa Cup and Carling Cup.

Tottenham will also be confident of an FA Cup run as victory over Cardiff would set up a fourth round clash at home to Southend.

Ledley King will miss the visit of Cardiff as he is still sidelined with a bruised foot, but Robbie Keane is in contention to start after returning from a knee injury.

Jermaine Jenas has not yet recovered fully from an ankle injury, while Mido (groin) and Paul Stalteri (hip) are doubtful.

James Simmonds looks set to go straight into the Cardiff squad after joining on loan from Chelsea earlier in the week, while Luigi Glombard (hamstring) could be pushing for a start after returning to the bench for the 1-0 defeat to Southend on Saturday. Paul Perry, however, may miss out due to a leg injury.

Newcastle v Birmingham
Newcastle and Birmingham will be vying for the right to host Reading in the FA Cup fourth round during their replay at St James' Park on Wednesday night.


The Magpies were just seconds away from clinching a place in the last 32 at St Andrews before Sebastian Larsson's late strike dashed their hopes, but Glenn Roeder will be in good spirits following his side's 3-2 victory at Tottenham on Sunday.

Indeed, the Magpies boss has already confirmed that he will name exactly the same first team and bench that showed such character to come from behind twice at White Hart Lane.

Roeder's team selection is more out of necessity than choice however, with 11 senior figures still sidelined due to injury.

Captain Scott Parker (stomach muscle) and Turkish schemer Emre (calf) are the closest to returning and should make Saturday's Premiership game with West Ham.

Stephen Carr (foot), Damien Duff (knee), Titus Bramble (calf) and Celestine Babayaro (hamstring) are also closing on their respective returns, but Charles N'Zogbia (knee), Shola Ameobi (hip), Craig Moore (hamstring), Olivier Bernard (hip) and Michael Owen (knee) are still someway short of fitness.

Birmingham's success in holding Newcastle first time around came at a cost, with on-loan Arsenal man Nicklas Bendtner picking up an ankle injury which rules him out of the replay.

Blues also saw Radhi Jaidi pick up a red card in the 2-2 draw so the Tunisian is suspended for the replay, and, with Stephen Kelly also injured, Steve Bruce will start Bruno N'Gotty for the first time in three months. New signing Rowan Vine is cup-tied after playing for Luton, but Cameron Jerome (Achilles) and DJ Campbell (neck) are fit and ready to lead the line in attack.

Fulham v Leicester
Fulham and Leicester have to try again on Wednesday after a thrilling third round tie earlier in the month ended 2-2.

The Foxes twice came from behind at The Walkers Stadium to force a replay with Chris Coleman's side.

Danny Cadamarteri netted a stoppage time equaliser after Fulham had looked to have won it through Moritz Volz late on.

Leicester will now travel to Craven Cottage looking to produce an upset, knowing a win will put them in with a good chance of advancing even further in the competition.

Wednesday's winners will host Stoke City in the fourth round of the FA Cup later this month.

Previous meetings between Fulham and Leicester shows the visitors have the edge, with Fulham having never knocked their opponents out of the FA Cup.

Fulham have drawn their last six in all competitions, so a penalty shoot-out at Craven Cottage may be a strong possibility.

The Cottagers will still be without injured goalkeeper Antti Niemi, as well as midfielder Papa Bouba Diop and defender Zat Knight.

New signing Clint Dempsey will also be missing having briefly returned to the USA, but Vincenzo Montella could make his first start.

Rob Kelly is sweating on the fitness of Foxes captain Paddy McCarthy, who took a knock to his ankle at the weekend.

Striker Elvis Hammond is also a doubt to face his former club, an ankle problem has kept him out since the turn of the year. However, Kelly is hopeful both players be able to be involved at some point at Fulham on Wednesday.
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