Van der Vaart hit for six

Tottenham have suffered a blow after learning that Rafael van der Vaart will miss at least six weeks with a hamstring injury.

The influential Dutchman had started the season looking sharp but has been unable to prevent Harry Redknapp’s team losing their two opening Premier League fixtures heavily against Manchester United and the ever-improving Manchester City.

“It’s the last thing we need. It’s a bad injury. He was in good form for us,” Spurs boss Harry Redknapp said.

Van der Vaart picked up the injury late in the heavy 5-1 defeat to City and his absence will come as a huge loss to Redknapp.

Tottenham currently sit bottom of the Premier League after two losses, though they will be hoping to get off the mark when they travel to Mick McCarthy’s unbeaten Wolves side next weekend.