Published: 19 September, 2013
by DAN CARRIER

UNDER-fire striker Emmanuel Adebayor has found a comrade in the form of fellow forward Jermain Defoe.

Newspapers and Spurs fanzine websites have been rife with speculation over Adebayor’s future when it became clear during the summer that if the right offer came in for him, Spurs coach Andre Villas Boas would let him go.

He has failed to start a game or find a spot on the bench in the opening month of the season – but Defoe believes that the Togo international still has a role to play this term.

“Manu is a great player and has played for some of the top clubs in the world,” he said.

“He is someone that we’re going to need.

“We’re going to need his goals and what he can bring to the team.

“He is keeping himself fit. He is a happy guy and loves his football. The sooner he is back the better,” Defoe added.

And while Adebayor has fallen down the pecking order with the arrival of Roberto Soldado he has not been given the cold shoulder, contrary to reports.

Spurs sources say he has simply been training alone to build up his fitness after missing pre-season owing to the death of his brother, and not because of any personality clashes with AVB.