Spurs were already aware Hutton's injury was a serious one - but confirmation came last night of just how bad it is.

Victory for Spurs at Stadion De Goffert will virtually assure them of a place in the knockout stages, and Redknapp could turn to Chris Gunter at right-back - with Hutton sidelined awaiting surgery and Vedran Corluka cup-tied.

A statement on the club's website, www.tottenhamhotspur.com, read: "Alan Hutton is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a fracture in his right foot.

"The Scottish international defender will now undergo surgery and faces up to five months out of action."

Earlier, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp had reported: "It's the same injury that kept him out at the start of the year; they decided not to operate, and it seems to have flared up again."

Captain Ledley King will be rested against NEC; Roman Pavlyuchenko is cup-tied, and Luka Modric (groin) and Giovani dos Santos (ankle) are also out of the clash against the Dutch side.

It means Fraizer Campbell is in line to start in attack.

Campbell wants to win the UEFA Cup with Spurs this season - but his target could be at odds with plans Sir Alex Ferguson has for him.

Manchester United boss Ferguson loaned Campbell on deadline day and last week stated he "could pull him back in January", while Spurs are adamant they have the striker for the rest of the campaign.

"Winning the UEFA Cup would be a great thing," Campbell said. "If I could win it I would be more than happy with how the season has gone."

Campbell may want his long-term future to be at Old Trafford but he is currently in good form for Spurs and is hoping to build on his three goals in his last three appearances.

He even got text messages from his United team-mates after netting recently against Liverpool.

Campbell said: "It's a season-long loan, that is it.

"We're playing some good football, I've scored a few goals and the team is doing well.

"Obviously, you would like to be settled somewhere eventually and when the time comes for me to make that decision I will.

"Any player that makes it at Manchester United has to be a good player, but that is the same with any club. That is what I'm trying to do at Tottenham - become a top Premier League player."