Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that he will give his Tottenham Hotspur team every chance to recover from their midweek European commitments to ensure that they are fresh for the London derby with West Ham United.
Spurs travelled to Russia on Thursday and returned with a 2-0 victory over Anzhi Makhachkala in the Europa League, but they now only have two full days' rest until their clash with the Hammers on Sunday.
Villas-Boas has suggested that most of that time will be put aside for his players to recuperate from their continental exploits, and that preparations for West Ham's visit will only begin "on the day of the game".
"Now it is just about recovery," Villas-Boas told reporters. "Obviously the win helps us recover mentally, which helps us recover physically quicker. It is nothing different from what we've done in the past.
"We will try to get at least the minimum sleep, but from Friday to Saturday we will sleep well and recover the players for West Ham.
"We will just prepare for that game on the day of the game, give the players information on the day of the game."
Eight changes were made to Tottenham's starting XI for their clash with Anzhi, with Hugo Lloris, Kyle Walker and Moussa Dembele the only three players to start in Moscow and against Chelsea last Saturday.
Joe Fish
