Kyle Naughton could be out of action for three months after suffering an ankle injury against Southampton.

The Tottenham defender was hurt by a poor tackle from Ryan Bertrand and left White Hart Lane on crutches and with a protective boot on his right foot. He was due to have a scan on the injury today.

Naughton, 25, suffered a similar injury two years ago and there are fears he might not play again this year.

Tottenham’s first win in the Premier League since August would be tarnished if Naughton were ruled out for a significant spell. They are still without first-choice right-back Kyle Walker, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, and Naughton’s absence would leave head coach Mauricio Pochettino without a specialist in the position.

Eric Dier replaced Naughton after 32 minutes against Saints and performed competently but he is happier playing in the centre of defence. That is why Pochettino and his staff will be hoping that Naughton has received nothing more than severe bruising and will be fit to face Manchester City in two weeks, following the international break.

Tottenham looked far more solid in defence against Saints — and in the derby at Arsenal — than they had in previous matches under Pochettino. But that security at the back will be tested to the limit against City, who scored 11 goals in their two League meetings with Spurs last season.

Spurs lost 6-0 when they last played at the Etihad Stadium, in November, and Andre Villas-Boas was sacked as head coach less than a month later. Younes Kaboul was one of four players in yesterday’s starting line-up who also began that thrashing by City.

“We need to be mentally and physically prepared,” said Spurs captain Kaboul.

“We need to produce a similar performance to the one against Arsenal. I know each game is different but we need to learn from the Arsenal game because we are going to play a massive team again.

“We need to play a similar game to the one against Arsenal but be even better. City are more of an attacking threat than Arsenal. They are the champions of England, they are ready for the fight and we need to produce a big performance there.

“What happened last season was last season. In football, the most important thing is the present and we look forward to this game. You never know what will happen but we have to be ready for this game.”

Top 10 Tottenham goalscorers 10 show all Top 10 Tottenham goalscorers 1/10 Jimmy Greaves - 266 goals in 380 games 2/10 Bobby Smith - 208 goals in 317 games 3/10 Martin Chivers - 174 goals in 367 games 4/10 Cliff Jones - 159 goals in 378 games 5/10 Jermain Defoe - 143 goals in 363 games 6/10 George Hunt - 138 goals in 198 games 7/10 Len Duquemin - 134 goals in 307 games 8/10 Alan Gilzean - 133 goals in 429 games 9/10 Teddy Sheringham - 125 goals in 277 games 10/10 Robbie Keane - 122 goals in 306 games 1/10 Jimmy Greaves - 266 goals in 380 games 2/10 Bobby Smith - 208 goals in 317 games 3/10 Martin Chivers - 174 goals in 367 games 4/10 Cliff Jones - 159 goals in 378 games 5/10 Jermain Defoe - 143 goals in 363 games 6/10 George Hunt - 138 goals in 198 games 7/10 Len Duquemin - 134 goals in 307 games 8/10 Alan Gilzean - 133 goals in 429 games 9/10 Teddy Sheringham - 125 goals in 277 games 10/10 Robbie Keane - 122 goals in 306 games

Spurs still have plenty to do to suggest they can fight strongly for a top-four finish this season but there were encouraging signs from the win against Southampton, the club Pochettino left to join Spurs during the summer.

Christian Eriksen’s winning goal shortly before half-time finished a move that contained clever contributions from Emmanuel Adebayor and Nacer Chadli. They will need plenty more against City on October 18.