Jermain Defoe facing six weeks on sidelines
Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe is facing at least six weeks on the sidelines as he makes a recovery from an ankle problem.
The forward sustained the injury while playing in England’s 3-1 UEFA 2012 European Football Championship qualifying win over Switzerland and was stretchered off the pitch in the middle of the second half in Basle. He was spotted at Spurs training ground today wearing a protective boot on his right foot and using crutches.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp said that: “Even if it's a bad sprain, he will be out for about six weeks or so because it's a nasty one.”
Set to miss several big matches
The news means that Defoe is likely to miss several important matches, including Spurs’ first two matches in the UEFA Champions League against Werder Bremen and FC Twente; crunch English Premier League clashes against the likes of Aston Villa and West Ham United; a Carling Cup tie with bitter rivals Arsenal and England’s next Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro.
The 27-year-old had been in sparkling form for both club and country, having netted a hat-trick in England’s 4-0 win over Bulgaria in their first Euro 2012 qualifying match last week. He also netted in Spurs’ 4-0 Champions League second-leg play-off victory over Young Boys.
Defoe had been set to go under the surgeon’s knife at the end of last month for an operation on his groin, but those plans were shelved after he scored against Young Boys and said he was fit.
As a result of the ankle injury, the striker could now be out until the end of October.
The news will come as a fresh blow to Redknapp, who will be without central defender Michael Dawson for around eight weeks after he sustained knee and ankle injuries in England’s match with Bulgaria.
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