Andre Villas-Boas prepared to play 'exhausted' Emmanuel Adebayor in next Tottenham match

Striker has just returned from the African Nations Cup

Andre Villas-Boas has no qualms about throwing Emmanuel Adebayor into the Tottenham team even though he is likely to have just one training session before Saturday's game against Newcastle.

Adebayor has not played for Spurs since January 12 as he has been taking part in the African Nations Cup with Togo.

Adebayor's team were knocked out of the tournament on Sunday night following their quarter-final defeat to Burkina Faso, but the striker has still not returned to the club's training base in Enfield.

Villas-Boas today insisted the club had given the 28-year-old extended leave following the tournament.

The striker said he was "exhausted" following his exertions at the tournament in South Africa, but with Jermain Defoe out for up to three weeks, Villas-Boas as no option but to select the former Arsenal man for Newcastle's visit.

The Spurs boss said: "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.

"I have to make a decision whether he will be in the starting XI or not."

As Defoe is Tottenham's only other recognised striker, many have questioned why Adebayor has not rushed back to London to help his club ahead of a big game this weekend.

But Villas-Boas insists he is happy for Adebayor to return tomorrow.

"No (he is not back), we're trying to establish the best flight connections for him," the 35-year-old said.

"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 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 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."

PA