Defoe set to undergo surgery

Jermain Defoe will miss England's European Championship qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland after being forced to undergo groin surgery that could keep him out for a month.

The Tottenham striker will go under the knife next week in a bid to cure a problem that has dogged him since the World Cup. Defoe missed Saturday's Premier League win at Stoke after aggravating the problem but he is expected to play some part in Wednesday's Champions League clash with Young Boys.

"He's not trained a lot. And he's getting worse, he's getting worse all the time," Redknapp said.

"When he has trained, he's been all right, he's been sticking goals in.

"But then he's had days off where he couldn't train.

"Sixty minutes is about as much as he can last."

Redknapp, who has yet to decide whether Defoe will start Wednesday, added: "It might only be half a game he can last now, but it's getting less each time - the pain's getting worse.

"He wants to play and train all the time but he's got to have it done now.

"He can't go on like that."

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