NIGERIA international Dickson Etuhu will make a return to the Fulham squad as the Cottagers take on Spurs in today’s Carling Cup tie at Craven Cottage. The Super Eagles ace, who missed his team’s last game with a hamstring injury, has recovered in time for today’s game and has been listed by gaffer Mark Hughes for the encounter.

However, and notwithstanding Etuhu’s return, Mark Hughes, who reckons he stands a fair chance of winning this game as a manager with Fulham after four FA Cup titles as a player, is also hoping he gets a helping hand from his counterpart at Tottenham.

With Harry Redknapp fighting the cause on three fronts including the Champions League, Hughes is hoping the Spurs boss goes easy on his starting eleven for this fourth round tie.

Hughes said: “I’m not sure how high a priority the FA Cup is for Harry. But we’re in two competitions from now until the end of the season, and I don’t think that’s two much of a burden for my squad.

“We’ve got back a cutting edge, and this was a great competition to me. It’s still the greatest cup competition in the world and one very close to my heart, and we’re hopeful we’ve got more than just the one on Sunday – and I don’t mean replays.

“Whereas in the past a team always put out its best side, that’s changed a bit. But by the time a team reaches the quarter, or semi-finals – team selection becomes a little bit different for the bigger boys.”

Fulham suffered no further injuries following the 1-0 defeeat to Liverpool on Wednesday night, and the manager looks set to name the same team that kicked-off at Anfield.