Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson could be out for several months because of a persistent Achilles problem.
The 27-year-old hasn't featured for the North London club since the 5-1 defeat to Manchester City at White Hart Lane on August 28.
Dawson's manager Harry Redknapp admitted that the England defender may need surgery on the injury but described this option as a "last resort".
"Until he sees the specialist we don't know if they want to operate on him, which we don't want," Redknapp said.
"An operation would be a long job, we're hoping there is nothing there and it's part of what he'll feel from scar tissue or something. The last resort is an operation."
Initially, it was thought Dawson would be out for two months but he has struggled upon returning to training.
