London: Tottenham Hotspur announced on Wednesday that Andros Townsend will be sidelined for around 10 weeks with an ankle ligament problem, effectively ruling him out of the World Cup for England.

"Following further examination and consultation, Andros Townsend is to undergo surgery on his left ankle on Thursday after damaging ligaments during our fixture against Stoke City last Saturday," Tottenham said in a statement on their website.