Paulinho: Tottenham midfielder ruled out for a month

Image source, AFP

Tottenham midfielder Paulinho has been ruled out for at least a month after sustaining ankle ligament damage in a tackle with Stoke's Charlie Adam.

Paulinho, 25, was forced off in the 62nd minute after a heavy challenge during Spurs' 3-0 win on Sunday.

The Brazil international is set to miss four Premier League games and the FA Cup third-round tie with Arsenal.

Video caption, Tottenham 3-0 Stoke: Tim Sherwood surprised by Paulinho talent

Adam, involved in three previous controversial incidents against Spurs,

"Just for the record and to the people tweeting me abuse saying so, I don't and never have had anything against Spurs," the 28-year-old tweeted. "And I would never intend to injure a fellow professional."

The Scotland international, then playing for Liverpool, was called "a bit of a coward" by Gareth Bale in July 2012 after the forward - now with Real Madrid - was sidelined by him for a second time.

Adam, who was sent off for a second booking after a foul on Scott Parker in Tottenham's 4-0 win against Liverpool in September 2011, was booed onto the pitch when he came on as a second-half substitute at the weekend, and was not booked for his tackle on Paulinho.

The Brazilian has scored four goals in 22 appearances since joining from Corinthians for a fee of just under 拢17m in July.