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Tottenham midfielder
Tom Huddlestone |
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Tom Huddlestone, the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, has been ruled out for at least a week after damaging the ligaments in his right ankle during the 2-1 victory over Everton.
The 23-year-old, who will see a specialist tomorrow to discuss his rehabilitation, will miss the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham on Saturday .
Huddlestone has started nearly every league match this season and his loss is a blow to Harry Redknapp as his side chase a Champions League place.
Jermaine Jenas, the obvious replacement for Huddlestone in central midfield, is expected to undergo an operation on his groin tomorrow and could be out for some time. The England player has missed the past four matches.
Vedran Corluka or Younes Kaboul could be asked to play in a holding role alongside Wilson Palacios, or Redknapp could tinker his system. Luka Modric or Niko Kranjcar could move inside from the wing or Eidur Gudjohnsen could play in the centre of midfield.
Redknapp, however, will be concerned that Palacios does not pick up another yellow card, which would take him to ten bookings this season and a two-match suspension.
Redknapp is also without Aaron Lennon for six weeks. The winger tore fibres in his groin in training last week, nearly two months after he first suffered the problem. He was expected to be out for three weeks.
Lennon will miss league matches against Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, and possibly the games against the top three teams in April. Tottenham have recalled Jake Livermore, the midfield player, from his loan spell at Peterborough United.