Spurs assistant coach Steffen Freund said: "We don't know yet (whether he will go). We have to wait.

"We would love him in the squad and that he would not go to the African Nations Cup, but it's a massive tournament and we respect his decision."

Villas-Boas is set to rest a number of star names for the 1987 final replay, but Benoit Assou-Ekotto has been passed fit and is set to start his first game since September.

Southampton boss Nigel Adkins will be without the injured Adam Lallana for the St Mary's clash with Chelsea, but Nathaniel Clyne and Gaston Ramirez are expected to come into contention.

Adkins said: "I want to go and win the game against Chelsea, but I also have to be mindful that we have had a run of fixtures that are very close together."

West Ham are facing a race against time to have former star Joe Cole re-registered in time for him to play in Saturday's Upton Park clash against Manchester United.

Cole has had a medical at the club after being deemed surplus to requirements by Brendan Rodgers at Anfield, but he has to be registered by midday on Friday in order to face Alex Ferguson's men.

Newcastle face a long and potentially difficult trip to npower Championship Brighton, while north-east rivals Sunderland also have a tricky away tie at Bolton.

Michael Owen could make his first Stoke start against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, while Graham Shawcross is also set to feature after agreeing a new long-term contract with the club this week.

Chris Hughton's Norwich look for respite from a run of four straight league defeats as they travel to Peterborough, while Paul Lambert is expected to make changes for Aston Villa's home clash with Ipswich.

Reading face a potentially embarrassing trip to League One Crawley, Martin Jol's Fulham are at home to Blackpool, Wigan entertain Bournemouth and revitalised QPR face an all-Premier League clash with West Brom at Loftus Road.