Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas says Jermain Defoe won't be sold in January

Villas-Boas has promised that Jermain Defoe will not be sold in January (Rex Features)

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has promised that Jermain Defoe will not be sold in January, even though he is not about to give him an extended run in the Premier League, writes Jack Pitt-Brooke.

The striker broke Spurs' European goal-scoring record – previously held by Martin Chivers – on Thursday night. "There is no danger of him going in January. I am happy with what he has been producing," Villas-Boas said. "It has been a great start for him but it doesn't change our perspective regarding his role in the team."

Roberto Soldado is likely to start against Newcastle today. Villas-Boas also denied that Defoe was looking for a move in the transfer window for the sake of his World Cup prospects.