ROY Hodgson finds himself with an embarrassment of riches - especially in midfield - as he prepares Blackburn Rovers to take on Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane tomorrow, writes PETER WHITE.

And it has prompted the Rovers boss to make a plea for patience and understanding to those who are going to miss out.

Apart from convincing the squad to stick with him, Hodgson's only other problem seems to be the bruised foot suffered by Chris Sutton in the 6-0 pummelling of Preston on Wednesday night.

The striker, who has claimed a startling eight goals from only seven games so far, could need a late fitness test. But it would take something serious to keep him out.

If Sutton pairs up again with Martin Dahlin, Kevin Gallacher will probably play on the right with Jason Wilcox likely to return on the opposite flank.

But it's in the centre of midfield where someone is going to suffer heartache.

Hodgson explained: "We are going to be spoiled for choice because I have Tim Sherwood fit now, Billy McKinlay is fit again, Garry Flitcroft is okay and Lars Bohinen is playing extremely well."

There is also Anders Andersson, another central midfield man who played wide on Wednesday.

"A couple are going to be disappointed," added Hodgson.

"But the season is long and if we are going to have a good season we are going to need them all, because there are lots of games to come.

"That will be my message to them all. Let's hope they understand it."

It would be surprising, with Colin Hendry fit again, if Rovers didn't revert to their 'usual' defensive line-up at White Hart Lane, despite conceding four goals at home to Leeds. Who gets the midfield berths is anyone's guess.

It's good to see Sherwood, last season's player of the year, back in action. He had a frustrating start with a three-match ban and an appendix operation.

The skipper said: "I want to play in every game now and it's up to me to force my way into the manager's plans."

Rovers look set to choose from: Flowers, Valery, Henchoz, Hendry, Kenna, Gallacher, Sherwood, Bohinen, Flitcroft, McKinlay, Wilcox, Sutton, Dahlin, Croft, T Pedersen, Broomes, Duff, Fettis.

Spurs have delayed naming their squad as they have several injury problems, especially in attack. Chris Armstrong, now fit again, is suspended after he was sent off in a reserve match, while Les Ferdinand has been absent with a stomach problem and Steffen Iversen has also been struggling with injury.

Justin Edinburgh will return to defence after a ban.

As expected, Ian Pearce completed his move to West Ham yesterday with a fee of £2.3 million agreed between the clubs. Crystal Palace were desperate to sign the defender but wouldn't go above £2 million.

Pearce said things had been okay for him at Ewood and he had no problems working with Hodgson. But he explained that "personal reasons" were one of the factors behind his decision.

Damien Duff has signed a new five-year contract.

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