Tottenham Hotspur's Jan Vertonghen faces late fitness test

Andre Villas-Boas will make a late decision on whether to gamble on the fitness of Jan Vertonghen for Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League opener at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Belgian centre-back damaged his ankle during Spurs' Asia Trophy defeat to Sunderland, but with the Lillywhites short of numbers in defence, Villas-Boas is giving Vertonghen every chance to prove that he has overcome the injury.

"Let's wait and see on Jan," the Portuguese coach told the club's official website. "He has made good progress so there is a small chance he could make the squad."

Michael Dawson is likely to start in central defence, and with Younes Kaboul still easing his way back into action following a long-term layoff, versatile new signing Etienne Capoue could be paired alongside Tottenham's club captain if Vertonghen is deemed unfit.