Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker could make his first Premier League start of the season against league leaders Manchester United on Sunday.
Brazil international Sandro has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering knee ligament damage in the draw at QPR last weekend and Parker, who has not started a league game since April, is likely to replace him.
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor has now left for the African Nations Cup while defenders William Gallas (calf) and Younes Kaboul (knee) remain absent.
Provisional squad: Lloris, Friedel, Gomes, Walker, Naughton, Dawson, Vertonghen, Caulker, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Sigurdsson, Falque, Townsend, Livermore, Dempsey, Carroll, Mason, Huddlestone, Parker, Dembele, Bale, Defoe.