Tottenham midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart has been ruled for up to six weeks after suffering a hamstring tear.

The 28-year-old limped off after being substituted in Spurs 5-1 defeat to Manchester City last week.

And MRI scans confirmed the full extent of the injury and the Dutch midfielder is expected to remain sidelined until mid-October.

Van der Vaart is likely to miss key fixtures against Liverpool and Arsenal while sitting out the North London sides opening two Europa League encounters and the Carling Cup tie against Stoke City.