Tottenham suffer Lennon injury setback

Lennon has been struggling with fitness since December (GETTY IMAGES)

Aaron Lennon has suffered a setback in his recovery from a groin problem, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed.

The Spurs winger - who had been recovering well from the problem he picked up in December - has undergone an MRI scan, and is set for an ultrasound to determine the full extent of any additional damage after feeling discomfort during training.

Redknapp, speaking ahead of tomorrow night's FA Cup fifth-round replay against Bolton, said: "He was close to getting fit, but has had a bit of a setback.

"Hopefully it should not put him back much from where he was, and he could still be fit in a couple of weeks."

Lennon, 22, is a potential member of England's World Cup squad in the summer.

Redknapp, though, first wants the winger back producing the goods for Spurs as they chase a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League.

"At first the diagnosis was he could be back in four or five weeks but you never know with these groin problems, they can take time and he has had a couple of setbacks," the Spurs boss said.

"Aaron has worked hard to get fit but every time seems to have a little problem there.

"Hopefully, though, it will get sorted out and he will be back soon."

Redknapp added: "So long as he gets back and gets enough match action for Tottenham to take us where we want to go, then the World Cup will follow.

"But, first and foremost, we have to get him back playing for Tottenham."

Redknapp revealed Lennon's frustrations at not being fully fit in such an important campaign.

He said: "Aaron has had a scan, and has just torn a couple fibres away apparently.

"It is difficult and has been dragging on a long time. We will just have to wait and see.

"Aaron is low when he is not playing, and is working hard out on the training ground with the fitness coach, is in the medical room getting his treatment, trying to get himself fit.

"Another little setback is not what he wanted, but he will get on with it.

"When he does come back, he will be as good as ever."

Redknapp added: "Obviously we miss him - he has got fantastic pace and scares teams to death with his ability.

"But we have been lucky that David Bentley has come in and shown what a top player he is as well."

As well as Lennon, Spurs also have concern over defender Ledley King, who hobbled out of Sunday's 3-0 win at Wigan with a thigh injury.

"Ledley has a bit of a tear, and do not know how long he will be out for," said Redknapp.

"The problem is when you are not training every day and playing, you do get injuries.

"But when he is fit and is playing, he is fantastic."

Reports have suggested Spurs are set to move for Zambian Under-20 left-back Emmanuel Mbola.

Redknapp, though, maintained the 16-year-old was not on his radar.

The Tottenham manager said: "I don't know him.

"We had two kids here from Nigeria training, but I don't know anything about a boy from Angola.

"Maybe the academy have brought him in, but he certainly is not training with the first team."