Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent is expected to be out of action for at least a fortnight.

 

The 17-goal man fell awkwardly during the match against Manchester United and has been diagnosed with medial ligament damage to his left knee. The knee will need rest and Bent needs to wear a brace for the next fourteen days before a re-assessment. It is a blow to Harry Redknapp’s plans but he does have Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko to turn to for Spurs match against bottom club West Bromwich Albion at the weekend.

Pavlyuchenko has received positive news about his future at White Hart Lane after his agent held talks with Redknapp. The 27-year old Russian has not had the most spectacular of seasons but, despite rumours that a loan back to his homeland may be on the cards, Redknapp gave assurances that Pavlyuchenko was still wanted in north London. The Russian has missed Spur’s last two games through a back injury but may be fit for this coming weekend. He said 'Yesterday I trained in the normal way with the rest of the team. But afterwards my back still caused me problems, but I prepare for the match on Saturday along with my team mates’.