Walcott and Dawson head casualty list

Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool were left cursing the international break as several high-profile players picked up injuries representing their countries this week.

Theo Walcott and Friday's hat-trick hero Jermain Defoe were the latest victims, both being stretchered off as England won 3-1 in Switzerland on Tuesday night.

Arsenal have said they will fully assess the injury on his return, but Fabio Capello revealed the winger expects to be out for around two weeks.

Defoe's leg injury seems to be less serious, and he has an outside chance of being fit for Tottenham's trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

His club team-mate Michael Dawson was less fortunate though as he picked up a serious knee injury during Friday's 4-0 win over Bulgaria at Wembley.

The centre-back is set to be sidelined for around two months meaning new-signing William Gallas could be fast-tracked into the side after playing 70 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, Walcott's Arsenal team-mate Robin van Persie faces yet another spell on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury against Blackburn a fortnight ago.

The Dutchman, who missed five months of last season with an ankle problem, will be out for around six weeks.

It gives Arsenal limited options in attack as fellow striker Nicklas Bendtner remains out injured with a groin problem.

Van Persie's international team-mate Dirk Kuyt hopes to recover from a shoulder injury, picked up against Finland, by the end of the month in time for Liverpool's Champions League tie against Utrecht.