Parker set for surgery

Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker could miss the start of the season as he continues to struggle with an Achilles tendon injury.

The 31-year-old picked up the injury towards the end of last season, missing Spurs' final game of the campaign before battling through England's Euro 2012 campaign.

Parker has not linked up with his team-mates on their pre-season tour of the United States as the club's medical staff are assessing whether he needs surgery.

If that proves to be the case he would be ruled out for at least a month, making him unlikely to face former club Newcastle on 18 August.

"There might be a small tear on his Achilles," said Tottenham manager Villas-Boas.

"We are at the moment evaluating the situation regarding a possible operation that can take four to six weeks normally to heal."

Parker is also likely to be unavailable for England's friendly against Italy on 15 August as well as the World Cup qualifiers with Moldova on 7 September and Ukraine four days later.

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