According to reports from The Express, Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is facing a two-month stint on the sidelines.

After netting what proved to be the winner against Sunderland last weekend, the 23-year-old slid for the ball and awkwardly twisted his ankle.

Scans have revealed that although Kane's ankle isn't broken, he's suffered ligament damage - which could render him out of action for the next two months.

That not only means the England international could miss a series of important Spurs fixtures, including three Champions League clashes, but also the Three Lions' pair of World Cup qualifiers next month.

Sam Allardyce selected and started the 6 foot 2 forward for his first game as England boss - a 1-0 win over Slovakia during the last international break.

So who could take Kane's spot in the squad - and potentially even the starting XI - for coming fixtures against Malta and Slovenia? We take a look at five options from around the Premier League...

JERMAIN DEFOE

Jermain Defoe has been overlooked for England's last two major tournaments but his international record is nothing to be sniffed at - 19 goals in 55 appearances, mostly as a substitute - and the 33-year-old worked with Sam Allardyce at Sunderland to great effect last season, netting 15 times to ensure Premier League survival.

The former Spurs man has started the current campaign well, bagging goals against Manchester City and Sunderland, but Allardyce may feel obliged to consider younger alternatives.

ANDY CARROLL

Sam Allardyce has made a point of only selecting players with sufficient game-time under their belts but he may be willing to make an exception for Andy Carroll - who could return from injury the weekend before the international break.

Big Sam signed the 27-year-old for West Ham in summer 2012 and his physically imposing, aggressive style - not to mention his 6 foot 4 frame - suits the England gaffer's usual game-plan perfectly.

Admittedly, however, an October call-up may be deemed too risky considering Carroll's continuous injury problems.

MARCUS RASHFORD

Allardyce's decision to overlook Marcus Rashford for his first England squad caused a level of controversy that suggests he won't make the same call this time around.

Instead, the 18-year-old netted a hat-trick on his England U21s debut, either side of bagging Premier League strikes against Hull City and Watford.

He's quick, mobile and lethal in front of goal but most importantly of all, offers the fearlessness that a harrowing end to Euro 2016 took out of most of England's regulars.

TROY DEENEY

Troy Deeney's proved a borderline phenomenon since moving to Watford in 2010, firing the Hornets to the top flight and helping keep them there last season with 13 goals.

A real street-footballer, the stocky centre-forward is blessed with the ruggedness and reading of the game those who only receive a footballing education in the top flight are often accused of lacking.

He's not been capped at any level for England but is the kind of character and striker Sam Allardyce tends to warm to.

JAY RODRIGUEZ

Jay Rodriguez was on the fringes of the England squad ahead of the 2014 World Cup, until a serious injury ruled him out of the tournament and the vast majority of the next two seasons.

But the forgotten man is finally getting back to somewhere near his best, scoring twice in four appearances for Southampton under Claude Puel.

The winger-forward is hardworking and versatile - two traits that certainly sit well with Sam Allardyce.