Jol: Lennon will be back in three weeks

Aaron Lennon has added to Steve McClaren's problems on the right flank after it was revealed he will not return to training with Tottenham until the end of the month.

Lennon faces a race against time to be fit for England's European Championship qualifiers against Israel and Russia on September 8 and 12, with David Beckham also short of match fitness at the start of his career in America.

The problem could prompt McClaren to consider David Bentley, the Blackburn midfielder who impressed against Albania in a B international at the end of last season but angered Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce for pulling out of the European Championships this summer.

Spurs only have one game in September before the international break, which would also hamper Lennon's return to full sharpness after recovering from knee surgery.

"He will be back in training in three weeks, at the end of the month," said Spurs boss Martin Jol. "He had no reaction and is doing conditioning work with the coaches.

"He had an operation on the outside cartilage of his knee, which is three months. He's been out for eight weeks so far."

Spurs captain Ledley King will also miss the England matches at Wembley next month as he is also recovering from knee surgery.

Lennon had provided Jol with an option on right last season and despite a busy summer, Spurs still do not have an out-and-out left winger.