Berbatov ruled out

Tottenham have been dealt a further injury blow with coach Martin Jol confirming that £10.8million striker Dimitar Berbatov could be sidelined for a further fortnight.

Berbatov has not played since their 2-0 home defeat by Everton at White Hart Lane because of a persistent groin injury.

Jol confirmed: "Berbatov may take some time. He is not ready. It could take another couple of weeks."

The Bulgarian forward collected the injury on his home debut against Sheffield United when he scored one of the only two goals Spurs have scored this season in the Barclays Premiership.

Berbatov, signed from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, missed the defeat by Manchester United, the victory over Slavia Prague in the UEFA Cup and last Sunday's goalless draw with Fulham.

Spurs have not scored for 343 minutes now and have equalled their worst start to a league campaign for 14 years.

But Jol's hope that Berbatov would be back to add some much-needed punch to their attack against Liverpool on Saturday has been dashed.

There is growing speculation the striker will need to undergo surgery to cure the injury but Jol insists they have no plans for him to have an operation at present.

He added: "I don't think it needs an operation. We have been pushing him and he has been pushing himself and then he had a setback.

"We treated him and then needed him again but he couldn't do it last week and it was the case again yesterday (Thursday). So if it's not possible, it's not possible. He still feels pain."