Scott Parker Facing Absence Until Christmas

Lost in the shuffle around Saturday's 4-2 loss to Chelsea was a further update on the health of Scott Parker. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder and English International has apparently exacerbated the injury to his Achilles. Parker had recently returned to training, trying to recover from his now-persistent injury.

Tottenham Hotspur Manager Andre Villas-Boas lays out a grim timeline for Parker:

"He still feels pain and is disturbed in his recovery," Villas-Boas said. "It will take two or three weeks, we could be looking at Christmas. Hopefully less."

Parker's continual Achilles problems seem increasingly like the injury that may turn Parker's career. Parker's persistent problems and now inability to take the field because of the injury are truly worrying signs. At age 32, Parker's recovery has to be a concern for Tottenham Hotspur.

In the interim, after starting this weekend Tom Huddlestone looks the likely recipient of Parker's playing time. Jake Livermore has seemingly slipped behind the veteran in the Tottenham pecking order.

Also, Parker's halted recovery seems to make it more likely that Tottenham will revisit signing a central midfielder in January. The precedent is there after Spurs almost signed Joao Moutinho on the last transfer deadline day.