Spurs' boss George Graham will show his commitment to winning the Worthington Cup by fielding his strongest available side for this third round tie.

Striker Les Ferdinand will not be available due to the ankle injury that kept him out of Saturday's match against Newcastle.

Steffen Iversen is also likely to be a starter for the first time for nearly a year. But Ruel Fox is doubtful with a hamstring strain.

John Scales, also returned from long term injury, is likely to keep his place.

Northampton manager Ian Atkins struggling with what he says has been "a horrendous year with injuries" has to pick a side with eight players already ruled out.

Liverpool v Fulham

Paul Ince is expected to play in this Worthington Cup tie despite taking a knock in Liverpool's 5-1 drubbing of Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Fellow midfielder Jamie Redknapp will again miss out but is expected to return against Valencia in the UEFA Cup next week.

Defender Phil Babb is out as he is still recovering from a back injury.

Anfield old boy Kevin Keegan, now the boss at Fulham, is still recovering from a neck injury and is expected to watch the game from the stands.

Charlton v Leicester

Charlton will be without goalkeeper Sasa Ilic for this Worthington Cup third round tie.

Ilic is still recovering after being knocked unconscious in a challenge with Chelsea striker Pierluigi Casiraghi.

His place in goal will be taken once again by Andy Petterson. Charlton boss Alan Curbishley is set to use a back four strategy as recent signing Carl Tiler is cup tied.

Neil Redfearn, Mark Kinsella and Ricahrd Rufus are all doubtful to play.

Leicester will be without Pontus Kaamark, because of an achilles injury. Gerry Taggart misses the game with a broken toe. However, Steve Walsh may return to the side.

Luton v Coventry

Coventry boss Gordon Strachan will be fielding a side severely depleted by injury for this Worthington Cup game.

He looks set to be without full-backs Roland Nilsson (dead leg) and David Burrows (hamstring), while Marc Edworthy and Stephen Froggatt are cup-tied.

Luton manager Lennie Lawrence is expected to name an unchanged side.

St Johnstone v Hearts

Hearts are hoping to win a place in their fourth cup final in as many seasons when they face St Johnstone at Easter Road.

Tynecastle boss Jim Jeffries is due to welcome back French striker Stephane Adam for this Scottish League Cup semi-final.

Adam steps in to replace the cup-tied Gary McSwegan.

Several other Worthington Cup third round matches are also taking place on Tuesday. They are as follows:

• Barnsley v Bournemouth
• Norwich v Bolton
• Nottingham Forest v Cambridge Utd
• Sunderland v Grimsby
• Tranmere v Newcastle