Europa League - Tromso v Tottenham Hotspur team news: Roberto Soldado starts alone up front, Zeki Fryers given rare start by Andre Villas-Boas

Nine changes from City thrashing made by Villas-Boas

Zeki Fryers starts for Tottenham against Tromso (GETTY IMAGES)

Roberto Soldado again starts up front for Tottenham Hotspur tonight as Andre Villas-Boas sends his side out for the first time since Sunday’s 6-0 humbling at Manchester City.

The Spaniard, a £26m summer arrival from Valencia, has struggled for form this season, scoring just twice since August, but leads the line in the absence of the injured Emmanuel Adebayor and rested Jermain Defoe.

Michael Dawson, the only survivor from Sunday's starting line-up, captains the side, with Vlad Chiriches recalled alongside him in central defence. Zeki Fryers and Kyle Naughton line up at full-back, Fryers making his fifth appearance of the season – all in the Cups – having yet to concede thus far in a Spurs shirt. Brad Friedel makes his sixth appearance of the season, with the veteran American seeking a first clean sheet in four matches.

Etienne Capoue makes only a second start in three months alongside Mousa Dembele, with Nacer Chadli, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andros Townsend – recalled after surprisingly being left on the bench at the Etihad Stadium – completing the midfield.

Villas-Boas’ side require victory to secure top spot in Group K of the Europa League, having already confirmed qualification for the round of 32 with victory over Sherrif Tiraspol earlier this month. Ten first-teamers were left at home by the Portuguese with Sunday’s Premier League visit of Manchester United in mind.

Jan Vertonghen, Lewis Holtby and Erik Lamela were all named on the bench for the match in a snowy Tromso, along with youngsters Jordan Archer, Ryan Fredericks, Kenny McEvoy and Shaquile Coulthirst.

Tromso completed their domestic season on 10 November, relegated after finishing second from bottom in the 16-team Tippeligaen.