Defoe injury blow for Tottenham

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe looks set to miss Saturday’s trip to Bolton and could be a doubt for Fabio Capello’s latest England squad.

The in-form forward sustained a broken hand in the 5-0 victory against Burnley at White Hart Lane last weekend and was forced off after 57 minutes.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has admitted his concern over Defoe, with Capello due to name his squad for the final World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus on Sunday.

England have already booked a place at the finals in South Africa next summer, but Defoe will be keen to cement his place in the party having missed out on a spot in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s squad in 2006.

Redknapp said: “He is struggling. Jermain dislocated two fingers against Burnley last Saturday and they couldn’t get them back in.

“But he has also fractured his hand. He spent all Saturday night in hospital and is struggling.

“Hopefully, he’ll be OK for England but we’ll have to wait and see.”

Defoe’s injury could hand Peter Crouch a starting role against Bolton on Saturday, with the striker previously being kept out of the side by his former Pompey team-mate and Robbie Keane.

Redknapp has assured Crouch he will have a key role to play this season and admitted he is a strong contender to start at the Reebok Stadium.

He added: “Peter will get the opportunity to play plenty of games this year. Next is away to Bolton – a big strong team.

“Set plays, we have got to be prepared for that. Last week we went with a small team, next week I will probably pick a bigger team.”