Assou-Ekotto injury problem

Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto is set to miss the rest of the season after having an operation on Thursday. The Spurs defender had the operation on his knee.

23-year-old Assou-Ekotto who joined Spurs from French club Lens in June 2006, had made only two first-team appearances this season.

"Benoit had an operation on the knee on Thursday morning, and the recovery time post op means he will miss the rest of the season," sporting director Damien Comolli told his club's official website.

"Benoit is still only young but he is very disappointed to be out injured for this length of time."