Benoit Essou-Ekotto ruled out for four weeks

Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed that defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto faces up to four weeks on the sidelines.

Assou-Ekotto missed Spurs' first win of the season over Reading.

After the match, Villas-Boas revealed that he has been playing with a knee problem this season and will now need time out.

"Benoit has a small fragment in his knee which makes it swell a lot," Villas-Boas told Sky Sports.

"He has played through pain in the last couple of games. His knee may have to be washed up [through surgery] and if that's the case we are looking at a four-week absence."

Kyle Naughton deputised for Assou-Ekotto against Reading and Spurs also have the option of new signing Jan Vertonghen, who can play at left-back as well as centre-back.