TEAM NEWS: Rafael van der Vaart starts as Gareth Bale only makes bench for Tottenham against AC Milan

Rafael Van Der Vaart, Tottenham (Getty Images)

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Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart will start against AC Milan his first match back since the two clubs met in the San Siro three weeks ago.

The Dutchman will play just behind Peter Crouch, who will undertake the lone striking role and will be looking to add to his nine goals this season which seven of them have came in Europe.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto has played every minute of the Champions League this season and this game will be no different as he fills the left-back berth for Spurs.

However, there is no place for Jermain Defoe despite bagged a terrific brace at the weekend against Wolves in the 3-3 draw, but Redknapp has kept faith with his winning formula for tonight’s clash.

Gareth Bale also was touch and go for this clash and he has to settle for a place on the bench at least from the start.

Vedran Corluka will also start despite suffering that horrific challenge from Mathieu Flamini in the first leg. Flamini himself is also available, and will be braced for a hostile reception from the White Hart Lane faithful. He will slot in central midfield for the Italians.

AC Milan are missing Gennaro Gattuso after he picked up a four match ban for headbutting Spurs coach Joe Jordan.

The Rossoneri, who are 1-0 down from the first leg, have gone with an attacking trio up front of Alexandre Pato, Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic through the middle which will provide a stern challenge for the hosts back four.

Tottenham starting XI:  Gomes; Corluka, Gallas, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Sandro, Modric, Pienaar; Van der Vaart; Crouch. Subs: Cudicini, Bale, Hutton, King, Jenas, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko

AC Milan starting XI: Abbiati; Abate, Thiago Silva, Nesta, Jankulovski; Flamini, Seedorf, Boateng; Robinho, Pato, Ibrahimovic. Subs: Amelia, Strasser, Papastathopoulos, Oddo, Merkel, Yepes, Ambrosini.