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Pienaar set for rare Spurs run

London - Steven Pienaar is likely to see rare action for Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night when they face a do-or-die clash with Irish minnows Shamrock Rovers in the UEFA Europa League.

The Bafana Bafana skipper has been relegated to the bench for English Premiership matches after returning from long-term injury, but is part of the shadow starting XI that has played the last two Europa League matches, including the home loss to PAOK last time out that has put their qualification for the knockout stages in doubt.

To qualify, Spurs must win in Dublin, hope Russian side Rubin Kazan lose away to PAOK, and make up a goal difference deficit which currently stands at five. If the two teams finish exactly level on goal difference and goals scored, Tottenham will qualify due to their higher coefficient.

Meanwhile, Bevan Fransman is hoping to be fit for his Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv as they play their final match at home to Legia Warsaw.

Hapoel cannot reach the knockout stages but will be hoping to hold onto third place in the pool ahead of Rapid Bucharest to salvage some pride from the campaign.

Fransman limped out of the league win over Maccabi Haifa last week and missed the weekend loss at Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona.

He has been a regular feature in the Europa League this season for Hapoel, even playing in an unaccustomed left-back position, as they began their campaign all the way back in July.

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