Hutton set for operation

Tottenham's Alan Hutton is to undergo knee surgery which is likely to rule him out for the rest of the season.

Tottenham defender likely to miss rest of season

Tottenham have confirmed that Alan Hutton is to undergo knee surgery which is likely to rule him out for the rest of the season. It emerged on Friday that Scottish right-back Hutton could be facing a month on the sidelines after suffering an injury. Scans have now revealed the full extent of the damage, with Spurs announcing on their official website that he has torn his lateral meniscus. He will now be sent for an operation and is not expected to play any part in the run-in. Harry Redknapp had already been dealing with a defensive crisis and news of Hutton's lay-off will come as a major blow. Michael Dawson and Sebastien Bassong are currently the only two fit centre-halves at Redknapp's disposal and started the goalless draw against Wigan on Saturday. Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Younes Kaboul are all injured at present, while William Gallas is struggling to recover from a knee problem in time to face Real Madrid on Tuesday. The Bernabeu clash is the first leg of Tottenham's UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie and one of the biggest occasions in the club's history. Spurs are also striving to finish in the top four of the Premier League for a second straight year.