Tottenham’s combative midfielder Sandro is set for surgery on his left knee.

The Brazilian limped out of training with the national side after pulling up with problems in both calves and his knee.

Further scans showed that the 22-year-old had ruptured the meniscus in the knee, an injury which requires surgery and needs a month to heal making him a doubt for Spurs’ opener against Everton next month.

The Brazilian Football Federation have confirmed that Sandro will return to London so the club can assess his injury further.

“It is a problem that I have been feeling for some time,” Sandro was quoted as saying on the UOL Esporte website.

“It has been troubling me more recently because it has stopped me practising.

“The examination found that I have to have surgery. Unfortunately for me the injury happened now, at an important moment of my career.

“But I will have the surgery and try to recover soon.”

Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said on the injury “”There is swelling muscle in the calves and a rupture of the meniscus externally in the left knee.”

The news will come as a blow to the player who was hoping to break into the Brazil starting XI but is expected to strengthen Spurs resolve as they look to hold on to in-demand midfielder Luka Modric.