Michael Dawson likely out against Benfica

The severity of Michael Dawson's injury has not yet been confirmed, but it appears that Tottenham Hotspur weren't just being cautious when they took him off against Chelsea on Saturday. Tim Sherwood has confirmed that the injury is to Dawson's hamstring and that he's unlikely to play against Benfica on Thursday.

"We're hoping there's a miracle, but I'm not going to hold my breath," Sherwood said about the injury.

While being short at central defense for Benfica isn't great, the bigger problem comes at the weekend, when Spurs face Arsenal. While I've been vocal about the fact that I do not rate Dawson and do not think that he should be first choice under any circumstances, he is a serviceable Premier League central defender. With Younes Kaboul suspended for the Arsenal game and Vlad Chiriches likely still out, Spurs will be forced to play Zeki Fryers or Etienne Capoue in defense if Dawson isn't fit by next Sunday.

Even if you're of the mind that we have absolutely no chance to finish fourth, that Europa League is useless and that Spurs are better off finishing 7th than 5th, it's never fun to lose North London Derbies. Here's to hoping Daws is fit soon.