Tottenham fully expect Toby Alderweireld to be out until February with a hamstring injury sustained in the 3-1 win over Real Madrid last month, reports the London Evening Standard.
The Belgian centre-back was forced off in the first half of the victory at Wembley over the European champions.
Spurs had hoped to have Alderweireld back for the start of 2018, but having undergone a scan this week, the north London side are fearful the defender won’t return until February at the earliest.
That means Spurs could be without the 28-year-old for key games against Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Juventus next year.
However, better news from Spurs chairman Daniel Levy as he said he was confident that Alderweireld would sign a new deal at the club at a fans' forum on Monday night.
Both parties have been at an impasse over a new contract for the Belgium international, whose current deal runs until 2019.
Tottenham have lost only eight Premier League games since the start of the 2016/17 season, though three of those have come in the 14 matches Alderweireld did not start.
