Cometh the hour, cometh the Dan

So we may be without Cheik Tiote for Sunday's trip to the Dark Place - but there could be one very welcome addition to the squad. Not only did the Lesser-Spotted Dan Gosling, sidelined even before signing on a free transfer in the summer, come through a behind-closed-doors friendly match against Hibernian without any adverse reaction today, he also genuinely impressed in a central midfield role alongside the out-of-favour Danny Guthrie, striking the crossbar with one shot. He could well take up a place on the bench, and might be just the spark we need in the wake of the dismal FA Cup exit.

On the subject of creative midfielders, our chances of securing the services of Sebastian Larsson look to have improved with the news that the Swede's club Birmingham have won the race to sign Spurs winger David Bentley on loan.