Sandro injury disrupts Spurs spending plans

Sandro is likely to miss Tottenham’s match against Manchester United on Sunday as the club continue to assess the severity of his knee injury.

The midfielder was forced off during the first half of Saturday’s draw at QPR after landing awkwardly and his chances of facing the League leaders are thought to be slim.

Spurs confirmed the Brazilian had undergone knee surgery today following the injury.

A statement from the club added: "The midfielder's recovery schedule will be assessed over the next few days."

Spurs were hoping that Sandro had merely twisted the knee and that there had been no significant damage to the ligaments, which would result in a long spell out. The extent of the problem is also likely to influence the club’s plans in the transfer market.

At the start of January, Spurs were willing to let Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore leave White Hart Lane, Huddlestone permanently and Livermore on loan. Fulham were keen on Huddlestone and QPR were close to tying up a loan deal for Livermore.

Yet if both were to depart — and with doubts over Sandro — it would leave only Mousa Dembele and Scott Parker as the club’s senior central midfielders.

Without Sandro and Emmanuel Adebayor, who is with Togo preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations, Andre Villas-Boas will be forced into changes against United.