• Premier League

Six weeks out for injured Defoe

ESPN staff
September 9, 2010
Jermain Defoe's ankle injury is a blow for Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp © Getty Images
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Tottenham have confirmed striker Jermain Defoe is facing at least six weeks on the sidelines after damaging his ankle on international duty.

Defoe hit a hat-trick for England against Bulgaria last week, but just four days later left the field on a stretcher as England beat Switzerland in Euro 2012 qualifying.

The forward initially played down fears over the severity of the problem, claiming he would be fit to face West Brom at the weekend, but the injury has proved to be worse than initially thought.

Defoe was seen on crutches and wearing a protective boot on his right foot at Spurs' training ground on Thursday and Redknapp fears a lengthy lay-off for the forward.

"Even if it's a bad sprain, you're still talking about six weeks or so, because it's a nasty one," Redknapp said.

With the striker sidelined until into October, Redknapp will now have to pin his hopes on Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane and Roman Pavlyuchenko - although it could free up a place for new signing Rafael van der Vaart.

More to follow

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