Robbie Keane will miss the start of the season with a possible ankle ligament injury and may not be available for Ireland's opening World Cup qualifying matches.
Keane was stretchered off during Spurs' pre-season friendly defeat to Rangers last night.
After the game Spurs manager Jacques Santini confirmed that Keane's injury was serious and that the team physio believed the striker would be out of action for up to six weeks.
That prognosis would render Keane unavailable for Ireland's friendly match at home to Bulgaria on August 18 and a doubt for the World Cup qualifying fixtures at home to Cyprus on September 4 and away to Switzerland four days later.
The Tallaght man should, however, have ample time to recover for the crunch October 9 clash against France in Paris.
Filed by Barry J Whyte
