PHIL Bardsley and Matt Kilgallon have been axed from the Sunderland squad for the final game of the Premier League season at Tottenham.

The pair have been embroiled in controversy after pictures emerged appearing to show them socialising at a casino last week.

Bardsley has come in for particular criticism, as some of the pictures appear to show the full-back lying on the floor covered in £50 notes.

It now looks likely that he will leave the Stadium of Light this summer, with Paolo Di Canio having dropped him from today's squad, along with Kilgallon, despite a lack of defensive options.

In the duo's absence, Seb Larsson is likely to start at right-back, with Jack Colback lining up on the opposite flank as Danny Rose is not eligible to line up against his permanent employers.

David Vaughan is recalled to play at the heart of midfield, with Connor Wickham promoted to the starting line-up to partner Danny Graham up front.

While Sunderland, who cannot be relegated, have precious little to play for this afternoon, Tottenham need to win to enhance their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.

Spurs kick off a point behind Arsenal, who are away at Newcastle United, in the race for fourth place.

TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Walker, Vertonghen, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto; Parker, Huddlestone; Lennon, Bale, Dempsey; Adebayor.

Subs: Friedel (gk), Naughton, Caulker, Holtby, Dembele, Sigurdsson, Defoe.

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Mignolet; Larsson, Cuellar, O'Shea, Colback; Johnson, N'Diaye, Vaughan, McClean; Wickham, Graham.

Subs: Westwood (gk), Marrs, Knott, Ferguson, Harrison, Mitchell, Mandron.