Darren Bent is set to miss the rest of the season after injuring his knee during Tottenham's 5-2 defeat by Manchester United.

The striker, who scored the opening goal at Old Trafford, had scans on the problem this week and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp said the damage was likely to rule the player out for the remaining four games of the campaign.

It is a huge blow for Bent, who has scored 17 goals this term even though he has rarely managed a sustained run in the team.

Redknapp said: “Darren has had a knee problem that will keep him out for several weeks. He will not be around for a while.

“It is a blow for him because he has done well and scored goals. We need him and he needs to play. He has been in good form but what can you do?”

Bent's absence means that Redknapp is almost certain to start with Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane — both of whom rejoined the club for a combined total of about £28million during the January transfer window — in attack against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Roman Pavlyuchenko is also available after missing the games against Newcastle and Manchester United with a back problem but Redknapp is interested to see how how Keane and Defoe will perform as a partnership.

Defoe came on as a substitute in the 1-0 victory over Newcastle on 19 April but he has yet to start a game since returning to action following 11 weeks out with a foot injury.