Jan Vertonghen
Jan Vertonghen could be out of action for Tottenham for over a month after injuring his ankle.

Andre Villas-Boas is more likely to enter into the January transfer market with the news that Jan Vertonghen could be out of action for Tottenham for over a month after injuring his ankle.

The defender didn't feature for Spurs in their match with Sunderland at the weekend and is currently waiting for further tests to determine the severity of the injury.

And the Telegraph reports that there are concerns he could be out until well into January, with the possibility of further weeks away from the starting XI as the defender rediscovers full match fitness.

Vertonghen has already been playing out of position in order to help with the injury problems at the back and has expressed his frustration over not being able to play in the centre of defence.

But without the Belgian, Villas-Boas will have even less options in his defensive ranks and should Vertonghen be out for a lengthy period the manager will have no choice but to bring in reinforcements in the January transfer window.

Danny Rose, who Vertonghen was often playing in the position of this season, is set to make a return to the squad but the Portuguese tactician will be aware that he will take time to get back to his best after suffering a toe injury that has kept the 23 year old on the sidelines since mid-September.

Tottenham are currently in sixth place in the table and after recovering from a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City, stringing together three wins and a draw since that loss at the Etihad Stadium.

They face Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala this Thursday and take on Liverpool on Sunday in what will be tough back-to-back fixtures for a side looking to not only pose a threat in the Europa League but also qualify for Champions League football.