Tottenham are optimistic defender Toby Alderweireld had avoided ligament damage ahead of a scan on his injured knee.

Spurs feared Alderweireld had suffered a serious injury when he was carried off during the second half of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at West Brom, following a collision with team-mate Jan Vertonghen.

But as Alderweireld prepared for the assessment, the initial indications were that he had received only a very heavy knock, and that he would not face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Alderweireld, 27, has not travelled to Germany for Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Bayer Leverkusen, and is unlikely to feature in the club’s forthcoming matches – at Bournemouth on Saturday, against Liverpool in the EFL Cup three days later, and at home to Leicester on October 29.

The player himself is said to be hopeful he has escaped severe damage, while Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is expected to provide further news later today.

Alderweireld is likely to be replaced in the team by Eric Dier. Although Dier established himself as a holding midfielder last season, he grew up as a centre-back and played there during his first campaign at Tottenham.

Pochettino would be hugely relieved if Alderweireld has not sustained ligament problems – but his absence is still a significant blow.

The centre-back, signed in summer 2015 from Southampton, has not missed a league game for Tottenham, and is probably the club’s most important outfield player.

In Pictures: West Brom vs Tottenham | 15/10/2016 12 show all In Pictures: West Brom vs Tottenham | 15/10/2016 1/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Dele Alli celebrates after rescuing a point in the final minute of normal time Andrew Boyers/ Reuters 2/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Mauricio Pochettino and Tony Pulis greet each other ahead of the game Getty Images 3/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 The players emerge from the tunnel at The Hawthorns Michael Regan/Getty Images 4/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Christian Eriksen and Nacer Chadli battle for the ball in the first period Michael Regan/Getty Images 5/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Dele Alli shields the ball from Darren Fletcher Geoff Caddick/AFP/Getty Images 6/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Dele Alli goes close as Tottenham heap the pressure on in the first period Michael Regan/Getty Images 7/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Christian Eriksen was reduced to long-range efforts against a well-drilled West Brom defence Michael Regan/Getty Images 8/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Erik Lamela tries to win back possession Getty Images 9/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Nacer Chadli refuses to celebrate after scoring against his former club Getty Images 10/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 West Brom players celebrate after Chadli's late strike Getty Images 11/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Dele Alli shows great composure to snatch a late point Getty Images 12/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 The England international wheels away to celebrate Getty Images 1/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Dele Alli celebrates after rescuing a point in the final minute of normal time Andrew Boyers/ Reuters 2/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Mauricio Pochettino and Tony Pulis greet each other ahead of the game Getty Images 3/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 The players emerge from the tunnel at The Hawthorns Michael Regan/Getty Images 4/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Christian Eriksen and Nacer Chadli battle for the ball in the first period Michael Regan/Getty Images 5/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Dele Alli shields the ball from Darren Fletcher Geoff Caddick/AFP/Getty Images 6/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Dele Alli goes close as Tottenham heap the pressure on in the first period Michael Regan/Getty Images 7/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Christian Eriksen was reduced to long-range efforts against a well-drilled West Brom defence Michael Regan/Getty Images 8/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Erik Lamela tries to win back possession Getty Images 9/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Nacer Chadli refuses to celebrate after scoring against his former club Getty Images 10/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 West Brom players celebrate after Chadli's late strike Getty Images 11/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 Dele Alli shows great composure to snatch a late point Getty Images 12/12 West Brom 1 Tottenham 1 The England international wheels away to celebrate Getty Images

Without both Alderweireld and Harry Kane, who has an ankle injury, Pochettino faces a test to keep his team in the hunt both at home and in Europe.

Spurs midfielder Dele Alli said: “There is no denying that Toby is a fantastic defender and a great part of our team. We all have our fingers crossed that it isn’t too bad.”