Week 30 - Update

Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur in the Quarter Finals of the Champions League - it doesn't get much better that for a Spurs fan!

Admittedly the draw today has probably ended any hopes of reaching the final at Wembley - even if we get past Real it would probably be Barca in the semis - but it's been a great journey & I'm looking forward to it's exciting conclusion.

I'd like to go in to more detail about the draw (specifically THAT tie between Chelsea v Man Utd) but I've had a rotten day at work followed by my car breaking down on the way home, so I need to get right in to the latest team & injury news as we approach the Week 30 deadline.

Spurs - Bale should be ready to start, VDV is fit & Gallas is ok after his hamstring scare. Defoe is tipped to start after his 2 goals vs Wolves, but King, Kaboul, Woodgate, Huddlestone & Palacios are all out.

West Ham - Robbie Keane is ineligible while Demba Ba & Freddie Piquionne are slight doubts.

Aston Villa -There's a bit of defensive crisis at Villa, as Dunne, Collins & Luke Young are all unavailable. Cueller and Delph could come in to cover. Makes me worried about Friedel, but he's cheap, so I'll probably risk him.

Wolves - Michael Mancienne and Michael Kightly could feature after long-term knee injuries, but Edwards & Zubar & Hunt are still out.

Man Utd - Fergie is without 11 injured players including Vidic, Ferdinand, Rafael & O'Shea, but Jonny Evans and Park Ji-sung could return. Scholes starts a two-match ban after picking up 10 yellow cards. Hernandez & Rooney should continue upfront but frustratingly there's no news on whether Valencia starts or comes off the bench. My gut feeling is another cameo.

Bolton - Midfielder Mark Davies looks set to miss the short trip to Old Trafford after injuring his ankle during the FA Cup win over Birmingham, but Gretar Steinsson is expected to be fit despite suffering from a bug.

West Brom - Vela is ineligible, Dorran & Brunt are doubts but Mulumbu has a chance of starting.

Arsenal - Wenger's problems are well publicised as Djourou, Fabianski, Fabregas, Song, Szczesny, Walcott & Vermaelen are all missing, but Van Persie is now close to 100% sharpness & Bendtner is back from illness - great!

Sunderland - Captain Lee Cattermole is hoping to return after nearly three months out with a back injury and Steve Bruce could have Nedum Onuoha and Bolo Zenden back.

Liverpool - Carroll could be paired with Suarez from the start for the first time, but Gerrard is out and Daniel Agger is a doubt.

Chelsea - Alex is in line to make his long-awaited return from a knee injury against Manchester City, but it'll probably be on the bench as Luiz will start alongside Terry. Torres will be restored to the starting line-up in place of either Drogba or Anelka.

Man City - Roberto Mancini is threatening to leave out Mario Balotelli following the striker's stupid sending off against Dynamo Kiev, so Tevez & Dzeko are likely to start. Adam Johnson is available after recovering from an an ankle injury.

Everton - Phil Neville remains a doubt with a hamstring injury, Tim Cahill is struggling with a foot problem, while Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini are definitely out.

Fulham - Dixon Etuhu is a doubt but Senderos & Sidwell are out. Bobby Zamora will continue his comeback from the bench as Mark Hughes resists the temptation to throw him in too early.

Blackburn - Ryan Nelsen is back following a suspension, although Gael Givet now begins a two-match ban. David Dunn is e doubtful, but Phil Jones is fit and available after a long term injury.

Blackpool - Skipper Charlie Adam is free from suspension but DJ Campbell still has two games of his ban to serve.

Stoke - John Carew is out, so Jones & Walters should start upfront. Pennant and Etherington are fit.

Newcastle - Boss Alan Pardew will make a late decision on midfielder Joey Barton, while Jose Enrique & Jonas Gutierrez are struggling. Stephen Ireland is definitely out.

Wigan - The bottom club have a fully-fit squad, with Striker Hugo Rodallega the only slight doubt after a knock in the defeat at Manchester City a fortnight ago but the Colombian has resumed training.

That's all the news we have. I hadn't looked at my own team until 10 minutes ago, but after a quick play around I have this on my page:

Friedel, Heitinga, Smalling, Kolarov, Walker, Hitzlsperger, Van Der Vaart, Nani, Defoe, Suarez, Van Persie

It's OK as a 4-3-3 - Heitinga isn't ideal but he allows me to get Nani & Van Persie in while the rest of the team remains strong. I've dropped Darren Bent rather than Defoe or Suarez for RvP. Bent always screws me over whenever I pick him so expect a hat-trick now he's out of my side! I may still make some minor tweaks, but it's a possible final team.

That's it for another week. Please let me know your team, and of course, good luck!

Cheers,
AM