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Tottenham's Defoe facing three-week lay-off

Tottenham Hotspur FC have been deprived of striker Jermain Defoe for at least the first leg of the last-32 tie against Olympique Lyonnais after he succumbed to an ankle injury.

Jermain Defoe is helped off the pitch against West Brom
Jermain Defoe is helped off the pitch against West Brom ©AFP/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur FC marksman Jermain Defoe has been ruled out for three weeks with ankle ligament damage and will miss at least the first leg of the UEFA Europa League round of 32 encounter with Olympique Lyonnais. 

The England striker limped off during the first half of last weekend's 1-0 Premier League win at West Bromwich Albion FC. The setback leaves Tottenham manager André Villas-Boas short of attacking options for the home leg at White Hart Lane next Thursday, with Emmanuel Adebayor arriving back from the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday. 

Defoe has weighed in with four goals in six UEFA Europa League appearances this term, including a hat-trick in the 3-1 Group J success against NK Maribor in November. The 30-year-old has also scored ten times in fourth-placed Spurs' Premier League campaign.

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