Emmanuel Adebayor given leave by Tottenham and will miss Europa League match against Besiktas

The striker is to return to Togo for personal reasons

Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor (GETTY IMAGES)

Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been given leave to return to his home in Togo to deal with a personal issue.

It means Adebayor will play no part in Thursday's Europa League match against Besiktas.

Tottenham announced on Twitter on Wednesday morning: "We can confirm that Emmanuel Adebayor has been given permission to return home for personal reasons. This is a private matter and so we will not be providing any further comment."

The Premier League club are certain to qualify from Group C alongside their Turkish opponents, and avoiding defeat would ensure they finish top.

Adebayor has not played for Spurs since the 2-1 defeat at home to Stoke on November 9, having been laid low by back and hamstring complaints as well as a virus.

The Togo striker has struggled for form since Mauricio Pochettino's arrival at White Hart Lane, scoring just twice in 12 appearances.

While the 30-year-old misses the trip to Turkey, there could be a welcome return to action for Kyle Walker.

The right-back has not featured for Spurs since the first leg of the Europa League last-16 clash with Benfica on March 13 with an abdominal issue which saw him miss out on England's World Cup squad and undergo surgery in September.

Walker returned to first-team training a month ago and could now make his first appearance in nine months against Besiktas, having travelled with the team to Istanbul.

PA