Tottenham have been given a lift by news that an injury to captain Ledley King is not as serious as first thought.

King, whose knee problems mean his particpation is limited for Tottenham, had to be substituted 44 minutes into Sunday's draw with Portsmouth and has met the club's medical staff to diagnose the injury.

Boss Harry Redknapp said after the match he believed King would be out of action for a long time but a statement on the club's website confirmed the 28-year-old had only suffered a minor strain and not a tear.

Roman Pavlyuchenko also had to be substituted after picking up an ankle knock but his injury is not as bad as first feared and he will be available for Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Burnley.