- Premier League
Defoe facing lengthy lay-off with ankle injury - reports

Reports in Thursday morning's newspapers claim that Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe faces six to eight weeks out through injury.
Defoe, who was stretchered off while playing for England late in Tuesday night's 3-1 win over Switzerland in Basle, suffered an ankle knock and the player had insisted he would to be fit to face West Bromwich Albion this weekend.
If the news is confirmed, Defoe would miss the first half of Spurs' maiden Champions League campaign and would also be a major doubt for England's next Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley on October 12.
Defoe, who scored a hat-trick in Friday's win over Bulgaria, had been expected to miss both internationals in the past week to undergo groin surgery but the operation was eventually shelved.
The Daily Mirror reported that Defoe has been fitted with a protective boot.
The striker would miss games against Werder Bremen, FC Twente and Inter Milan in the Champions League, the Carling Cup date with arch-rivals Arsenal and a clutch of Premier League games, including the trip to former club West Ham United.
The news contradicts comments from the player on Wednesday which suggested the ankle injury would not be a problem. He said: "I jarred my ankle or my knee but it feels alright. I've always said I'll do my best to make sure I'm out there. I've just got to rest it (the injury). I'll just keep icing it and I'm sure I'll be okay."
