Defoe blow for Spurs Euro hopes

Jermain Defoe will be sidelined for up to a month after tearing one of his hamstrings in a blow to Tottenham’s hopes of finishing fourth in the Premier League and securing a place in next season’s Champions League.

Defoe is Spurs’ leading scorer this season with 23 goals in all competitions.

His injury, confirmed by manager Harry Redknapp on Friday, means he joins an injury list already including Tom Huddlestone, David Bentley, Aaron Lennon, Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate.

Spurs do have cover up front however with Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko currently in a rich vein of form and Defoe’s England team-mate Peter Crouch also available.