Scott Parker to miss start of season?

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a blow after it has emerged that Scott Parker could be ruled out for the start of the Premier League season.

The 31-year-old may have to have surgery on the Achilles problem that sidelined him for the end of Spurs' season and plagued his preparation for Euro 2012.

Roy Hodgson revealed that Parker exacerbated the injury during England's quarter-final against Italy in Kiev on Monday.

If confirmed, the midfielder will also miss England's friendly with Italy on August 15, and possibly the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign against Moldova and Ukraine.