Jihai Sun also has a minor hamstring strain so left-back Stephen Jordan has been called back into the squad but is unlikely to start. Gerard Wiekens is also defensive cover for the Blues.
Paulo Wanchope is out with a knee problem so Anelka and Fowler have the task of ending City's barren spell in front of goal.
Michael Tarnat will have a late fitness test and may return to the left-back berth, pushing Distin to the cenre and either Dunne or Sommeil to the right.
Spurs have named an unchanged squad so will continue without the likes of Frederic Kanoute, Janie Redknapp and Simon Davies.
City back-line will be up against Robbie Keane and either Bobby Zamora or Helder Postiga. The Blues should be wary of both as they have barely scored since joining the club so are bound to net tonight.
- Kevin Keegan has stressed the importance of tonight's tie as he believes City can go far in the competition.
"We have a chance of winning the Carling Cup, one of two trophies open to us this season" he told the Evening News. "We want to do well for the fans and we will give it our best shot."
Keegan also defended his misfiring forwards and hopes they will get back in the goals tonight.
He said: "I think the criticism of Robbie is unfair, but I am the manager who brought him here so I am bound to say that.
"Robbie's finish at Southampton was world-class, and he came on the other day and had two chances that maybe you expect Robbie to score. But you could say the same about Nicolas Anelka in Groclin and Paulo Wanchope against Spurs."
The City boss added: "They are not perfect, no forward is, they are there to miss them as well as score, but their reactions to missing chances has been good, and we will se if we can't find a goal or two against spurs which would be a boost before we play Everton."