Huddlestone ankle surgery blow for Spurs

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admitted his side have suffered a blow after it was confirmed that midfielder Tom Huddlestone requires further ankle surgery.

The 24-year-old has become one of Spurs' most reliable players in recent years following his move to White Hart Lane from Derby in July 2005.

Huddlestone is due to go under the knife on Monday and could now be sidelined for several months.

Redknapp said: "He needs another operation. He's already had one but there is still a problem with him. It's a blow. He will be out for a while."

Huddlestone made more starts than any other outfield player in all competitions in the 2009/10 season as Tottenham finished fourth in the Premier League to qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

This season he has made four appearances for Spurs, the most recent of which came as a second-half substitute in the 5-1 home defeat against Manchester City on August 28.