Dawson out for six to eight weeks

Tottenham have confirmed Michael Dawson will be out for six to eight weeks after suffering a knee injury during England’s 4-0 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday.

Dawson fell awkwardly in the second-half following an innocuous challenge, and was forced from the pitch on a stretcher. The FA announced on Saturday morning that he would miss Tuesday’s qualifier against Switzerland due to the injury, instead returning to his club for treatment.

Spurs have now revealed that the defender has sprained his left medial knee ligament and one of his left ankle ligaments. The extent of the damage will come as a fresh blow to Harry Redknapp who has suffered with defensive injuries. Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King both have long-term injury problems.

England have announced they will not call up a replacement defender. Dawson is likely to be replaced by West Ham’s Matthew Upson or Bolton’s Gary Cahill, who came off the bench for the Tottenham defender.

A Jermain Defoe hat-trick and first international strike for Adam Johnson ensured England started their Group G campaign in the best possible fashion.