Danny Rose '90% likely to face Chelsea'

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has rated left-back Danny Rose's chances of returning from his toe problem in time for their London derby with Chelsea on Saturday as "90%".

The former Sunderland loanee started Spurs' first four Premier League matches of the season, but missed the victorious trip to Cardiff City after picking up an injury while on Europa League duty.

Kyle Naughton, usually employed on the right side of defence, filled in for the absent 23-year-old in Wales, but Villas-Boas is hoping that Rose will be fit to return to provide Tottenham with a greater balance and more natural attacking threat from the left flank.

"Danny Rose is a 90% possibility that he will play," Villas-Boas told reporters. "He gives us more options and the depth that he provides down the flank is excellent."

Rose has usurped Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who has been loaned out to Queens Park Rangers, as Tottenham's first-choice left-back this season following an impressive spell with the Black Cats.