Paulinho: Tottenham midfielder ruled out for a month

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.

Adam, involved in three previous controversial incidents against Spurs, has denied any issue with the club.

"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 £17m in July.