Injury blow slows Modrić progress

Tottenham Hotspur FC are likely to be without midfielder Luka Modrić for their UEFA Cup Group D game at NEC Nijmegen on 27 November after an MRI scan confirmed that the Croatian international is suffering from a partially torn groin muscle.

Short lay-off
Modrić picked up the injury during the first half of Saturday's 2-1 loss to Fulham FC in the Premier League and was replaced at half-time. The 23-year-old is expected to be out for up to two weeks. Modrić has been in excellent form for Tottenham since the arrival of new manager Harry Redknapp at the end of last month, and impressed in the north London side's 4-0 win against his former club NK Dinamo Zagreb two weeks ago. Tottenham are second in Group D, three points behind early leaders Udinese Calcio who beat them 2-0 on Matchday 1.