• Premier League

Spurs wait on Lennon as Dembele misses Arsenal clash

ESPN staff
November 15, 2012
Jermain Defoe is nursing a hamstring injury © PA Photos
Enlarge

Tottenham will be without the services of midfielder Moussa Dembele for the north London derby against Arsenal, but Aaron Lennon could be available after positive news on his hamstring injury.

Lennon pulled out of the England squad after he limped out of Spurs' defeat to Manchester City last Sunday and has not trained with the squad since.

However, after a scan showed no damage, Villas-Boas will assess the fitness of the winger on Thursday, as well as Kyle Walker and Jermain Defoe, who are also nursing hamstring strains.

"They haven't trained with the team yet. They have had lighter sessions on their own," Villas-Boas said of the trio.

"We will have to see today how they return to see if there's any disturbance. Lennon had a scan yesterday, and it's fine on his hamstring."

Meanwhile, the derby will come too soon for Dembele, who has missed the last eight matches for Spurs with a hip injury.

"Dembele does not have a chance, not for this game," Villas-Boas said. "There is a 50% chance he will be back for the Lazio game. I think surgery at the moment is out of the question, hopefully."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close