Several Spurs old boys return to their former club in Sunderland colours when the Black Cats head to North London tomorrow.

Midfielders Andy Reid and Steed Malbranque, striker Fraizer Campbell and second-choice goalkeeper Marton Fulop all plied their trade at White Hart Lane only to later move on to Sunderland.

There's any number of intriuging sub-plots - but striker Darren Bent is sure to be the focus of much of the pre-match attention.

The England frontman, 25, is the top-scoring English striker in the division with eight goals so far since leaving Spurs for an initial £10m fee in the summer.

Bent says he's expecting a hostile reception but insists he won't be turning the clash into a head-to-head between himself and Spurs, insisting he's fully focused on helping the team to what would be a first league away win since the opening day of the season.

Since the win at Bolton back in August, Sunderland have lost on three occasions on their travels as well as drawing at Manchester United - meaning improving away form is a big priority for manager Steve Bruce.

Bruce told safc.com in midweek that his side must replicate their display at Old Trafford to give themselves a chance of achieving a positive result against a Spurs side handily-positioned to break the big clubs' stranglehold on the top four this season.

Harry Redknapp's outfit have been stung by back-to-back defeats at home to Stoke (0-1) and away at deadly rivals Arsenal (0-3) but still sit a handy fifth in the Barclays Premier League, level on points (19) with fourth-placed Manchester City having played a game more.

Meanwhile Sunderland - anchored by an excellent home record - sit just two points behind in eighth position, knowing that a positive result at White Hart Lane could mathematically fire them into the top four.

Half of Tottenham's six wins have come on home turf, against Liverpool (2-1), Birmingham (2-1) and Burnley (5-0).  Manchester United (1-3) and most recently Stoke have triumphed at White Hart Lane against a Spurs side who are yet to draw on home turf.

If Black Cats chief Bruce is to achieve a positive result, he will have to do it without the services of some of his top-line players.

The former Wigan boss has seen his squad stretched to the limit by injuries and suspensions, with captain Lorik Cana (one-game ban) and five-goal hitman Kenwyne Jones (three-game ban) both suspended.

Lee Cattermole continues to battle back from a knee ligament problem, while John Mensah (calf) and Bolo Zenden (hip) both remain on the sidelines.

Jordan Henderson is likely to continue in midfield following some impressive displays, while Kieran Richardson may move forward into the centre also depending on whether the injury-hit George McCartney is given the all-clear to play.

Phil Bardsley will battle Paulo Da Silva for the right-back spot after recovering fully from a shoulder problem, and Anton Ferdinand faces up to Nyron Nosworthy to partner Michael Turner in the middle.

Despite being hit by injuries, Bruce has been boosted by the return of former Spurs man Campbell and must now decide whether to stick with his regular 4-4-2 formation or re-shape his side with Darren Bent up front on his own.

Like Bruce, Spurs' Redknapp has injury problems of his own. England winger Aaron Lennon is likely to miss out, as is Sebastian Bassong (hamstring).

Luka Modric is back in light training following a broken leg but is unlikely to feature against the Black Cats.

Jermaine Defoe is back after a ban and Jonathan Woodgate is available following a head injury.

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