Tottenham Hotspur face a major injury crisis ahead of Thursday's Europa League last-16 tie against Benfica with Emmanuel Adebayor and Paulinho the latest senior players unlikely to travel to Lisbon tomorrow.

The side trail 3-1 from the first leg at White Hart Lane and are already suffering from a number of absentees. Paulinho has been injured in training and is focussing on being fit for the league game against Southampton on Sunday. Adebayor was always a doubt for the second leg in Lisbon having suffered a gashed knee and a further ankle injury against Arsenal

The scale of the task in overturning a two-goal deficit against a Benfica side who have not lost a game since November is realistically too great for Tim Sherwood’s side with the priority being trying to stay in touch with the top four. The chances are that Sherwood will have to field a relatively inexperienced side in the Estadio do Luz, as well as having to ask one or more of his midfielders to deputise at centre-back.

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He will be without Kyle Walker, who has an ongoing pelvic problem that may require surgery. Younes Kaboul is unlikely to travel after picking up an injury against Arsenal. Danny Rose will also undergo a late fitness test. Jan Vertonghen is suspended and both Michael Dawson and Vlad Chiriches are already injured.

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