Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko has been ruled out for two weeks with a groin injury he suffered in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.
It was feared Sissoko could be sidelined for a month after he went down clutching his groin in the first half at Wembley last Sunday and was subsequently replaced by Erik Lamela.
However, he is now expected to return at the start of next month, in time for the return of the Champions League as Tottenham take on Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund in the last 16.
Tottenham are light on midfielders with Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama still yet to return to full fitness after periods on the sidelines, but Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino remains positive.
"Like in life, in football there is two options: to cry or to see a possibility for another player to play and step up and an opportunity to play in a different way," said Pochettino ahead of Sunday's trip to Fulham.
"I think it's a massive challenge. Rather than sitting in my chair and crying, I'd rather find another way to challenge ourselves and to be consistent, keeping the same level as before."
Dier has returned to full training after suffering from appendicitis and could be in line to return on the bench at Craven Cottage.
Meanwhile, Wanyama has begun to integrate into training as he recovers from a knee injury.