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Harry Redknapp faces defensive injury crisis as William Gallas ruled out for a minimum of three weeks
By Matt Barlow Last updated at 9:28 PM on 26th September 2010
Tottenham's injury crisis deepened when William Gallas was ruled out for at least three weeks.
Manager Harry Redknapp faces crucial games this week against FC Twente in the Champions League and Aston Villa in the League, with Sebastian Bassong his only recognised centre half.
Gallas became the latest player to be ruled out after tearing an abductor muscle in training on Friday, while Ledley King suffered a groin strain in the same session.
Blow: Gallas (right) was injured in the same training session as Ledley King
Redknapp is already without Michael Dawson, who injured his knee and ankle on England duty and will not be back before November, while Younes Kaboul is out with a hamstring injury. Jonathan Woodgate has not played for almost a year and is fighting to save his career.
At West Ham on Saturday, Bassong was paired in the centre with right back Vedran Corluka, who has been suffering from a bad back, and they struggled to form a convincing partnership as Spurs lost 1-0. Tom Huddlestone could be pressed into action as an emergency defender.
Redknapp does not expect to have Gallas available until after next month's international fixtures. If he heals quickly, he could be back to face Fulham before the trip to Inter Milan on October 20.
Injury-plagued: Spurs skipper King has gone down with a groin strain
The length of King's absence is more difficult to gauge. The Spurs captain pulled his groin in the first minutes of England's first World Cup game against the USA, came off at the break and did not play again in South Africa. It is a side-effect of the chronic knee problems which prevent him training normally.
Redknapp said: 'It's a blow. When you don't train, you pick up different injuries. If I went for a run tonight, I'd pull up with a calf problem because I don't train regularly. Ledley doesn't train and he picks up little injuries.'
Jermain Defoe is also out but Benoit Assou-Ekotto should return against FC Twente, releasing Gareth Bale to play further forward after he was forced into a more defensive role at Upton Park.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...Gallas-ruled-minimum-weeks.html#ixzz10fdrxa7G
Not good.
By Matt Barlow Last updated at 9:28 PM on 26th September 2010
Tottenham's injury crisis deepened when William Gallas was ruled out for at least three weeks.
Manager Harry Redknapp faces crucial games this week against FC Twente in the Champions League and Aston Villa in the League, with Sebastian Bassong his only recognised centre half.
Gallas became the latest player to be ruled out after tearing an abductor muscle in training on Friday, while Ledley King suffered a groin strain in the same session.
Redknapp is already without Michael Dawson, who injured his knee and ankle on England duty and will not be back before November, while Younes Kaboul is out with a hamstring injury. Jonathan Woodgate has not played for almost a year and is fighting to save his career.
At West Ham on Saturday, Bassong was paired in the centre with right back Vedran Corluka, who has been suffering from a bad back, and they struggled to form a convincing partnership as Spurs lost 1-0. Tom Huddlestone could be pressed into action as an emergency defender.
Redknapp does not expect to have Gallas available until after next month's international fixtures. If he heals quickly, he could be back to face Fulham before the trip to Inter Milan on October 20.
The length of King's absence is more difficult to gauge. The Spurs captain pulled his groin in the first minutes of England's first World Cup game against the USA, came off at the break and did not play again in South Africa. It is a side-effect of the chronic knee problems which prevent him training normally.
Redknapp said: 'It's a blow. When you don't train, you pick up different injuries. If I went for a run tonight, I'd pull up with a calf problem because I don't train regularly. Ledley doesn't train and he picks up little injuries.'
Jermain Defoe is also out but Benoit Assou-Ekotto should return against FC Twente, releasing Gareth Bale to play further forward after he was forced into a more defensive role at Upton Park.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...Gallas-ruled-minimum-weeks.html#ixzz10fdrxa7G
Not good.