Wayne Rooney's today through suspension should see Everton's new signing, Brian McBride, asked to fill the young Scouser's boots - which is not the kind of debut that comes around every day. It is not that often, either, that an opposition manager will bemoan the absence of such a threat as Rooney - but Glenn Hoddle has done just that.
'I am disappointed he won't be playing because when you have a young talent like this, you want to see it. It would have been nice for people at Tottenham to have seen Rooney,' he said.
Today, though, Hoddle will be looking to give White Hart Lane what it really wants: victory. Spurs are trying to arrest a pretty awful run, which culminated in the 4-0 thumping at the hands of Southampton last Saturday in the FA Cup. They have now won just one of their past six games. But ninth in the table, and one win off that Uefa Cup spot, means European football next season is still very much within their grasp.
'It was very disappointing to go out, but perhaps it was a blessing in disguise and now we can concentrate on a European spot,' said Hoddle.
'It's the same for Everton. We've both been dumped out of the Cup and are hurting. There's only one way to get over that and it's to get a win under your belt. They will be looking to do exactly the same as us.'
Such is the speak after FA Cup defeat: regroup, refocus. Everton's recent form has been equally poor - draws in their past four Premiership outings, and the embarrassing 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Shrewsbury Town.
But David Moyes's team are still fifth and with players such as skipper Kevin Campbell and his Canada strike partner Tomasz Radzinski revitalised, Everton look a surer bet than Spurs for European football.
At four places below Everton and with the Moyes factor, Hoddle knows it will not be easy this afternoon. Like many others, he has been impressed with his opposite number's first full season in the top flight.
'He's done a great job to turn that round very quickly,' Hoddle said. 'He's got a good mixture of experience and youth to work with and there's a nice balance to his squad.'
Last week saw Moyes adding to that squad with the signing of Egypt defender Ibrahim Said as well as McBride. 'Those two will come in amongst it for the game,' said Moyes, who has a long list of injuries to contend with. He can afford to be patient with Said, though. Peter Clarke is available as cover for Tony Hibbert at right-back, and Steve Watson will return after a calf injury.
Up front, though, options are more limited. 'Kevin Campbell may still make it, but Rooney's suspension has just kicked in at this time.'
McBride has an impressive international pedigree - nearly 70 caps and a display at last summer's World Cup for the US that netted him two goals in five matches. He will need all of that experience today.
'It will be difficult, but I expect every team in the Premiership to be tough opposition,' he said. 'The pace of the game [here] is very quick. Those are the things that make this league special.
'It's a soccer game and every soccer game is different. I just have to make sure that I'm fully prepared.'
Facing him in today's 'soccer' game will be international team-mate Kasey Keller, whom he roomed with at the World Cup.
'Brian's a very good athlete,' the Spurs keeper said. 'And if he gets on the pitch against us you'll see that he has the type of jump that people have been accustomed to seeing from Les Ferdinand.
'He's a dangerous player in the air and a player who has found big goals for the national team when they've been needed.'
A big goal today for Everton and McBride could secure a run in the team - the stuff dream debuts are made of.
