Harry Redknapp has revealed that Jermain Defoe is set to spend a 'few weeks' on the sidelines.
The Tottenham striker has torn his hamstring and will now require a period of rest in which to make a full recovery.
The news comes as a major blow to Spurs' top-four ambitions, with just nine games of the 2009/10 campaign remaining.
Defoe has 17 Premier League goals to his name this season, and 23 in all competitions, and has been a regular presence in Redknapp's first-team plans.
However, he will now sit out a crucial stage of the season, with Spurs leading the way in the battle to secure the final UEFA Champions League spot.
While the setback is an unwelcome distraction for Tottenham, Defoe will be fit and raring to go in time for England's 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa this summer.
Redknapp said: "It's a grade-two tear but it will be a few weeks. He is struggling.
"We've had a bad spell of injuries but we've got Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Eidur Gudjohnsen in attack.
"We are okay there but there are other areas where we are short."
skysports.com