Positive news for Lennon

Tottenham have received a boost with news that Aaron Lennon’s hamstring injury is not as bad as first feared.

Spurs had initially feared losing Lennon for six weeks after he was forced off the ground during the first half of Sunday’s 1-0 defeat of Sunderland.

But results of a scan taken on Monday showed the 24-year-old has suffered only minor damage and he should make a comeback within three weeks.

Lennon is expected to miss at least four Premier League fixtures – against Chelsea, Norwich, Swansea and West Brom – during that period.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is expected to be given a further lift as Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe are both due to return to training on Wednesday ahead of the derby clash against Chelsea on Thursday.

The pair missed Sunday’s match and will be put through their paces as they look to prove their fitness for the visit of fourth-placed Chelsea to White Hart Lane.

Bale twisted an ankle during training on Saturday and remains a doubt, but Spurs are desperate for the Welshman to play and he could be given painkilling injections to make it through the game.

Redknapp has been upbeat on Defoe’s chances of returning to the side as he attempts to recover from a niggling hamstring injury that he has been carrying for the last few weeks.

“There’s every chance Defoe will be fit,” Redknapp said on Sunday. “He’s only got a grade one tear and he’s desperate to play, the little fella.”