Michael Dawson Injured: Tottenham Defender Out Two Months

According to reports from Sky Sports, Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson is out for at least two months with an achilles injury. Dawson, 27, has become a Tottenham mainstay and English International since his breakout 2009-10 season that saw him win Tottenham Club Player of the Year.

The injury news is devastating for the Tottenham defense. Dawson has been Tottenham's best and most consistent defender the past two seasons. The Tottenham central defender ranks are already thin, with William Gallas unable to play since preseason with injury and Ledley King just recently returning from injury (and always remaining a health risk).

In the interim, the first choice pairing seems to be the weekend's pairing of Younes Kaboul and Ledley King. But knowing King's fitness problems it seems probable that outcast Sebastien Bassong will earn some serious playing time, at least until William Gallas comes back from injury. Also expect Vedran Corluka to perhaps get more looks at center back, especially in Europa League. 

Tottenham will scramble to survive without their first choice central defender. The inability to sign Gary Cahill on transfer deadline day now looms large over Spurs, and it will be up to Harry Redknapp to assemble a defense that can survive league play and the added challenge of European and cup play.