Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed that playmaker Luka Modric is taking longer than expected in his recovery from a broken leg.

The Croatian magician suffered the injury in a 2-1 victory over Birmingham City at White Hart Lane back in August, and was expected to be out for up to six weeks.

However, the 24-year-old has now been on the treatment table for over seven weeks, and his manager says he is still some way from a complete recovery.

Speaking to FourFourTwo.com, Redknapp said: "He is still quite a way away. The leg is very tender, and he is very hesitant on his leg still.

"So he is still a long way away really. I was hopeful he'd be close after the international break but he hasn't recovered really. He's not happy with it at the moment.

"I wouldn't like to put a time on it. We started him trying to jog last Friday but he's very tender with it."

Modric had been in superb form for Spurs before his injury and the club's faithful fans will be hoping and praying that he will have recovered sufficiently in time for their trip to rivals Arsenal on October 31st.