Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute is facing two months on the sidelines after the Frenchman suffered an ankle injury against Leicester last weekend, the club confirmed today.
Spurs' £4million summer signing was stretchered off after a bad tackle by Muzzy Izzet in Sunday's 2-1 victory at Leicester - in which he hit a late winner.
The latest scan on Kanoute has confirmed bruising on the bone of his left ankle together with some ligament damage.
"It's disappointing news but hopefully the estimate of two months is a maximum," caretaker manager David Pleat told Spurs' official website, www.spurs.co.uk.
"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, who had scored six goals in his last six games, himself remains optimistic that he will play again this year.
"The timing is a blow because it was going well for me," he adds. "But it could have been worse and I've just got to be patient."