No extra rest for Adebayor, says Villas-Boas

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

Togo's Emmanuel Adebayor reacts after a challenge by Tunisia's goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifia (not in picture) during their African Nations Cup (AFCON 2013) Group D soccer match in Nelspruit January 30, 2013. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas says that Jermain Defoe's injury leaves him no option but to throw Emmanuel Adebayor straight into action following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Adebayor's Togo were knocked out of the continental tournament by Burkina Faso on Sunday, but the striker had still to return to Tottenham's north London training base by Thursday morning.

Adebayor said he was "exhausted" after his exertions in South Africa, and Villas-Boas says the club have given him a period of leave.

However, with Defoe set to be out for up to three weeks with an ankle injury that he sustained last weekend, Villas-Boas has no other established strikers at his disposal for Saturday's home game with Newcastle United.

"Obviously we have to take a look at him first. We don't have any news regarding injuries from him, so he's going to be selected for sure," Villas-Boas said on Thursday.

"I have to make a decision whether he will be in the starting XI or not." Villas-Boas also defended his decision not to ask Adebayor to return to the club sooner.

Asked if Adebayor had already returned, the Spurs coach said: "No. We're trying to establish the best flight connections for him.

"He had issues to take care of as the tournament finished for Togo, so at the moment we're trying to see if we can have him back either for today (Thursday) or tomorrow's training session.

"I spoke to him Monday morning. I know where he is, I'm not sure if I want to make it public. I don't think it's strange. We've allowed the players two days off.

"The players come back today for 3pm (1500GMT) training. A couple of them, (Clint) Dempsey and (Benoit) Assou-Ekotto come back for 3pm tomorrow.

"We've allowed Ade to come back for Friday's training session if he can't make it for today's."