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Spurs have been rocked by the news that defender Vlad Chiriches is out for six weeks.

The setback is a blow for boss Tim Sherwood with his team battling for a place in next season's Champions League.

Scans have shown that a back injury that has kept the £8.5million Chriches on the sidelines since the end of last month are more serious than first thought.

It leaves Tottenham facing an injury crisis as Younes Kaboul is their only other senior centre-back behind Jan Vertonghen and Michael Dawson who played in the win over Everton on Sunday.

Tottenham sit fifth in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and two points above Everton.

Chiriches, 24, last played for Spurs in their 5-1 home defeat to Manchester City on January 29.

He has impressed at White Hart Lane since his arrival from Steaua Bucharest last summer.