Ryan Mason has dropped Eric Dier as Emerson Royal returns for Tottenham’s visit of Crystal Palace.
Dier has struggled for form in recent weeks and months, and drops out for Royal in an unfamiliar right centre-back role.
Asked if he could switch to a back four, Mason said: “I am not sure. We are training this afternoon so we have got some decisions to make. Ultimately for us it is a collective to try to keep clean sheets and win games of football.
“Systems and formations, yeah they can help and can change some things but the desire of the 11 players on the pitch to have a common goal and work together is probably the most important thing.”
Elsewhere, Yves Bissouma is a surprise returnee to the bench, having previously been ruled out for the season.
Richarlison gets the nod ahead of Dejan Kulusevski to start alongside Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.
Confirmed team news
Tottenham: Forster, Romero, Lenglet, Davies, Porro, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Emerson, Son, Richarlison, Kane
Subs: Sanchez, Perisic, Dier, Danjuma, Kulusevski, Lucas Moura, Sarr, Bissouma, Austin.
Crystal Palace: Johnstone, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Eze, Doucoure, Schlupp, Olise, Ayew, Zaha
Subs: Milivojevic, Sambi Lokonga, Guaita, Mateta, Clyne, Hughes, Edouard, Richards, Riedewald.
