Aaron Lennon 'to miss three weeks' with abdominal strain

Aaron Lennon will be unavailable for Tim Sherwood's first game as permanent Tottenham Hotspur manager as he begins a three-week layoff due to an abdominal strain.

The winger started the Capital One Cup quarter-final defeat to West Ham United when Sherwood began his reign as caretaker boss, but then missed the 3-2 victory over Southampton on Sunday with his latest injury.

He has joined fellow wide man Andros Townsend and central defensive duo Jan Vertonghen and Younes Kaboul on the sidelines, while Moussa Dembele is a doubt for West Bromwhich Albion's visit on Boxing Day with an ankle problem and Paulinho is definitely unavailable as he completes a three-match ban.

Lennon has made 11 appearances in all competitions this term, but has failed to find the net.

Sherwood has been confirmed as Andre Villas-Boas's successor on an 18-month contract.