Tottenham cool on Africa duty

Tottenham have insisted they have plenty of striker firepower to deal with Emmanuel Adebayor departing for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Last Updated: 03/01/13 at 16:52 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Premier League. Click here to bet.

Emmanuel Adebayor may still be available for Tottenham's busy schedule in Ja

Emmanuel Adebayor may still be available for Tottenham's busy schedule in Ja

Andre Villas-Boas is likely to rest a number of his star players following a gruelling yet successful festive period for the north London club.

Adebayor is expected to retain his place for this weekend's FA Cup tie against Coventry after finding the net for just the third time this season against Reading on New Year's Day.

But after the next league fixture on 14 January when they head for QPR to face their former manager Harry Redknapp, Spurs may have to wave goodbye to Adebayor.

"We don't know yet whether he will go," assistant manager Steffen Freund said. "We have to wait. "I think the preparations of most of the teams have started already.

"We would love him in the squad and that he would not go to the African Nations Cup, but it's a massive tournament and we respect his decision."

Togo play Niger on Saturday and then hold a six-day training camp in Ghana before the tournament, yet it is unclear whether their star striker will meet up with the squad due to a row over unpaid bonuses.

Considering Tottenham's only other recognised striker is Jermain Defoe, they have been linked with a host of other stars, including Leandro Damiao, Fernando Llorente and Willian.

Yet Freund appears to think Spurs have enough players to cope should Adebayor be absent for a while.

"We have been successful with and without him in the team," Freund added. "He was injured for eight games and we had a really good run without him, and with him we are strong.

"We have Defoe and Clint Dempsey, they can play up front. So can Gylfi Sigurdsson."

Bet with SkyBet  Premier League. Click here to bet.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

T

he day Tonys hat goes missing for some bantz will be different story altogether..

TheBrestEver
Stoke probe 'banter gone wild'

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

Footer 365

Alan Pardew confident he will still be Newcastle manager next season

Alan Pardew is 'pretty confident' he will stay as Newcastle manager after ending the season with a defeat by Arsenal.

Michael Owen had mixed emotions after his final appearance for Stoke

Retiring Stoke striker Michael Owen admitted he had mixed emotions after his final appearance for the club.

Premier League: Paul Lambert says 'something is happening' at Aston Villa

Paul Lambert refused to answer questions about the future of Darren Bent following Aston Villa's 2-2 draw at Wigan.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved