Roy Hodgson confirmed that Joe Cole will be fit to face former suitors Spurs. His career on Merseyside has failed to take off so far - he was red carded in the season-opener against another former interested party Arsenal and has suffered a series of niggling injuries.

But Hodgson has said the former West Ham protege - who played under Redknapp as a youngster at Upton Park - will return to the Reds line-up for this Sunday's trip to north London. 'Joe should be back for Sunday,' said Hodgson, who is looking to follow up last weekend's 3-0 win over the Hammers with another positive result.

'We were hoping he would be back to face West Ham but it has taken that little bit longer.'