Lay-off for Gallas adds to Spurs’ defensive woes
TOTTENHAM’S defensive crisis grew deeper yesterday after William Gallas was ruled out for three weeks with an abductor muscle injury.
The French defender, who joined Spurs on a free transfer last month following his release from rivals Arsenal, missed Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at West Ham after suffering the injury in training on Friday.
Further tests revealed Gallas’ injury is worse than first thought and means boss Harry Redknapp is now without no fewer than four central defenders for the visit of Dutch side FC Twente tomorrow night.
Indeed, as it stands, Sebastien Bassong is his only, fit recognised centre back so right-back Vedran Corluka will again be drafted in as cover.
Redknapp was hoping captain Ledley King would be fit to face FC?Twente, but he hasn’t trained for nine days and is still suffering the affects of his on-going knee problems.
Of King’s recovery, Redknapp said: “It’s a blow. When you don’t train, you pick up different injuries.
“If I went for a run tonight, I’d pull up with a calf problem because I don’t train regularly. Ledley doesn’t train and he picks up little injuries.”
Spurs are also without Michael Dawson, out with an ankle injury, while Younes Kaboul has calf trouble.
Indeed, Redknapp can’t even turn to 18-year-old Steven Caulker, who yesterday joined Bristol City on loan.