Team News: Andre Villas-Boas opts for Jermain Defoe to lead the line against Maribor

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has opted to name a strong side for tonight's Europa League encounter against Maribor.

England international Jermain Defoe has been picked to lead the North London outfit in Slovenia, with a five-man midfield including Gylfi Sigurdsson and Tom Huddlestone.

Aaron Lennon will don the captain's armband for the contest, while goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has been chosen ahead of Brad Friedel.

Spurs defender Michael Dawson has been left out of the squad due to illness.

Maribor: Handanovic; Milec, Rajcevic, Arghus, Mejac; Mertelj, Cvijanovic, Mezga, Tavares; Ibraimi, Beric Subs: Pridigar, Viler, Filipovic, Dodlek, Lesjak, Komazec, Plo

Tottenham: Lloris; Walker, Caulker, Vertonghen, Naughton; Huddlestone, Sigurdsson, Sandro, Lennon, Townsend; Defoe Subs: Cudicini, Gallas, Dempsey, Smith, Falque, Livermore, Parrett