Kanoute blow for Spurs

Tottenham were today hit by the news that Frederic Kanoute is out for up to two months.

The latest scan on the French striker's ankle injury has confirmed bruising on the bone as well as ligament damage.

Spurs' top scorer with seven goals in nine games was stretchered off in the dying moments of the victory at Leicester on Sunday after a reckless challenge from Muzzy Izzet.

Acting manager David Pleat confirmed: "It's disappointing news but hopefully the estimate of two months is a maximum.

"We will be working hard to reduce that time schedule and the boy is a quick healer which is encouraging. Obviously it's a real blow because Fredi's been in splendid goalscoring form, but we have to look at it as an opportunity for other players to come in and show what they can do."

Kanoute hopes he can recover in time to make it back into first-team action by the end of the year. He said: "The timing is a blow because it was going well for me. But it could have been worse and I've just got to be patient."

Kanoute had a chequered injury history at his former club West Ham and was forced to miss the Premiership opener this season for Spurs when he broke down an hour into his first training session.

Meanwhile, Christian Ziege today admitted that he thought he would never fully recover after damaging his thigh.