Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe ruled out for 3 weeks with ankle injury

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has been ruled out for three weeks with ankle ligament damage.

Defoe limped off the pitch during Tottenham’s 1-0 win over West Brom on Saturday, forcing him out of England’s international friendly against Brazil.

At the time it was feared he would be sidelined for up to two months but the injury is not as bad as first thought and the 30-year-old is expected to return in three weeks.

“Defoe has small ligament damage. It’s good news in the end because it could have been further damage to his ankle. We are happy with the result in the end,” Villas-Boas revealed.

Defoe’s injury could force Andre Villas-Boas into selecting Emmanuel Adebayor despite having yet to return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Villas-Boas admitted the club were “trying to establish the best flight connections for him” but confirmed that the Togo striker would “probably” start against Newcastle.

“We don’t have any news regarding injuries from him, so he’s going to be selected, for sure,” the manager confirmed.