LONDON -- Tottenham was dealt a big blow on Friday as it was revealed that striker Jermain Defoe is set to miss the next three months after undergoing ankle surgery.

Defoe was already set for a groin operation that he had been putting off when he suffered an ankle injury against Switzerland while playing for England in a Euro 2012 qualifier.

The striker had the operation on his ankle on Thursday, and a statement on Tottenham's website confirmed the extent of the injury.

"Following a review by an ankle specialist, Jermain Defoe underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right ankle yesterday evening.

"The striker was forced off with the injury during England's European Championship qualifier in Switzerland on Tuesday and has been ruled out of action for around three months."

The injury will prevent Defoe from playing for England in its next Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro in October, while also likely keeping him out of Tottenham's Champions League group stage, which includes games with Inter Milan, Twente and Werder Bremen in Group A.