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Sky Sports reports that Mousa Dembele's ankle ligament injury, sustained against Wolves last weekend, will keep him out until the New Year at least.

Falling awkwardly following a challenge from Helder Costa, the 31-year-old was taken off in the first half and scans have revealed that there is ligament damage to his right ankle.

The big Belgian will now miss the remainder of Spurs' Champions League group stage games, with Mauricio Pochettino's men set to play both Inter Milan and Barcelona in the coming months, as well as key London derbies with Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League.

The former Fulham man is beginning to struggle as his side play through a thicket of fixtures, and this is the second time the dynamic star is set to be out of action having missed four games between September and October due to a thigh problem.

Eriksen to continue in the 'quarterback' role?

Christian Eriksen deputised in his teammate's absence against PSV in the Champions League on Tuesday night alongside Harry Winks, and he could continue as a deep-lying playmaker against Crystal Palace this weekend as Eric Dier is also out injured and Victor Wanyama is a doubt.

The prominence of a 'quarterback' style player has increased in recent years, with Kevin De Bruyne the perfect example. The Belgian is adept at dropping into his own half to allow the opposition to come to him before picking out a deadly, defence-splitting pass.

While the Lilywhites may be left with less defensive security without a big man in the middle of the park, their attacking threat will be dramatically improved and the low mobility of the Crystal Palace midfield will allow space and time for Eriksen to operate to maximum effect.