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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.
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Adebayor's Togo were knocked out of the continental tournament by Burkina Faso on Sunday, but the stricker had still to return to Tottenham's north London training base by Thursday morning.
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Adebayor said he was 'exhaused' after his exertions in South Africa, and Villas-Boas says the club have given him a period of leave.
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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 strickers at his disposal for Saturday's home game with Newcastle United.
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Villas-Boas also defended his decision not to ask Adebayor to return to the club sooner.