Defoe Ruled Out Of North London Derby

The striker's foot injury, although not as bad as first feared, will still keep the Spurs man on the sidelines for a while.

Jan 30, 2009 3:47:45 PM

EPL: Jermain Defoe, Tottenham - Portsmouth (PA)

Tottenham Hotspur have received a real blow this evening on the injury front, as it has been confirmed that new signing Jermain Defoe will be sidelined for the next three weeks or so with the foot injury he picked up in training today.

Rumours had been rife around White Hart Lane that Spurs' £15 million signing was seriously injured, with British tabloid The News of the World reporting that Defoe could face a lay-off that would last the rest of the season in it's online edition today.

The injury was rumoured to be a broken metatarsal, the injury that has become somewhat fashionable amongst contemporary footballers and the kind of injury that can result in a three month spell out of action.

However, things are less serious than that, as it has been confirmed by Sky Sports News this evening that the player will miss three weeks. Although that is more positive news than initially feared, it is still a blow for Spurs, as Defoe will miss the north London derby with Arsenal on Sunday February 8.

"It's a real blow," Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is reported as saying this evening.

"But we're optimistic that we will have him back in three weeks."

Whether this means that Redknapp will now return to his alleged pursuit of former Spurs ace Robbie Keane and attempt to prise the Irishman away from his unhappy sojourn at Liverpool remains to be seen.

Zack Wilson, Goal.com

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
 
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai

    Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.

  2. ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams

    Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.

  3. ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite

    Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.

  4. LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth

    With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.

  5. McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date

    The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.