Tottenham will target a new left-sided centre-half in January as they await to discover the extent of Micky van de Ven's injury.
Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly, who Spurs targeted in the summer, is expected to be the subject of fresh interest.
Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou has called for the club to do their January business early and signing a new defender has taken on more urgency after Van de Ven pulled up with a serious-looking hamstring injury in Monday's 4-1 defeat to Chelsea.
The Dutchman is set for a scan once the swelling has subsided before the club decides on a course of recovery.
Spurs will also be without van de Ven's centre-half partner Cristian Romero for the next three games after he was shown a straight red card for violent conduct, leaving Eric Dier and 18-year-old Ashley Phillips as the only natural centre-backs available to Postecoglou.
Kelly was a Spurs target in the summer and Bournemouth are braced for a fresh approach for the 25-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season and should be available for a cut-price fee.
The left-footed former England Under-21 international can also cover at left-back, would count towards the club's homegrown quota, and likely accept being a squad player.
Spurs coach Matt Wells, who looks after the first team's defensive unit for Postecoglou, worked with Kelly at Bournemouth when assistant to Scott Parker, and is understood to be an admirer.
Dier, who impressed from the bench against Chelsea and is set for his first start under Postecoglou at Wolves on Saturday, is out of contract at the end of the season, and Spurs would prefer to receive a fee for the England centre-half in January.
But the chances of Dier leaving the club mid-season hinge on the severity of Van de Ven's injury as well as the prospect of Spurs also signing a right-sided centre-half in January.
Spurs are long-term admirers of Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi, although the Eagles are unlikely to sanction a sale mid-season.
New Spurs technical director Johan Lange and chief scout Rob Maczenkie will work with Postecoglou on recruitment in January, although the Australian has made clear that he will have the final say on all new signings.
