Source: Telegraph
Roman Pavlyuchenko joins Tottenham's sick list as defensive crisis mounts
The Russian striker had featured in every squad until Sunday's match at Chelsea when he was forced to withdraw with an Achilles problem and he is now doubtful for Wednesday's Carling Cup trip to Preston. [LNB]Spurs will also be without Sébastien Bassong, who is at least out of danger after falling awkwardly in the 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, while Jonathan Woodgate's comeback from a groin problem has suffered a setback. [LNB] Related ArticlesGuillermo Franco could make West Ham debut in Carling CupOwen set to start in Carling CupForest seek to escape Notts County's shadowRobbie Keane 'too honest' says Harry RedknappChelsea 3 Tottenham Hotspur 0Ancelotti impressed by SpursLedley King will also be absent at Deepdale, after pulling up with a hamstring strain at Chelsea. [LNB]Bassong has been given the all-clear by a specialist after suffering a potentially dangerous head injury on Sunday. The Frenchman fell on the side of his face following a challenge with Nicolas Anelka and left the field receiving oxygen and in a neck brace. [LNB]Bassong was not detained overnight at hospital and was back at Spurs' training ground on Monday for "further assessment". King was also at Spurs Lodge, in Chigwell, after pulling up early in the second half. [LNB]Tottenham finished the game with a makeshift back-four featuring midfielder Tom Huddlestone and right-back Vedran Corluka in the centre. [LNB]Hopes of Woodgate returning soon have been ended after Redknapp admitted that the former England defender's injury was giving cause for concern. [LNB]"Woodgate is nowhere near playing again," Redknapp said. "He went to see a specialist again on Friday and he just can't train. We haven't got to the bottom of the injury at all, what's causing him discomfort."[LNB]Of Spurs' four recognised central defenders, only Michael Dawson, yet to feature this season due to an Achilles problem, is anywhere near returning. But with the paucity of defenders at White Hart Lane, Redknapp is unlikely to risk him at Preston. [LNB]Chelsea were also left counting the cost of Sunday's game. Didier Drogba pulled up late on with a calf injury and is set to undergo further tests on Tuesday. The hope remains that it was only cramp, but the striker will not face Queens Park Rangers in tomorrow's Carling Cup tie. [LNB]Anelka admitted the team would be weaker without Drogba, who has scored five goals in six games. "We miss his physical impact and things are definitely different without him," Anelka said. [LNB]However, Michael Ballack is confident Chelsea can maintain their 100 per cent start. The 3-0 victory was Chelsea's 11th consecutive Premier League win, a club record, and three wins short of Arsenal's all-time Premier League record. [LNB]Ballack watched Manchester United's 4-3 win over Manchester City before playing, and scoring, against Spurs and says Chelsea are ready to mount another title challenge. [LNB]The German said: "You can feel the spirit in the dressing room now and the experience of the last few years, with a few disappointments, the Champions League final and the semi-final last year when we went out, has kept the team together. [LNB]"United have a lot of good years behind them with the Champions League win and three title wins in the Premier League, which will give them a lot of confidence. [LNB]"They always believe they can score in the last minute and that's what it's all about with big teams. There is always a little bit that makes the difference and of course we have that." [LNB]
