Tottenham can deal with Adebayor absence, says Freund

Tottenham have insisted they have plenty of striker firepower to deal with Emmanuel Adebayor departing for the Africa Cup of Nations. 

Andre Villas-Boas is likely to rest a number of his star players following a gruelling yet successful festive period for the north London club. 

Adebayor is expected to retain his place for this weekend's FA Cup tie against Coventry after finding the net for just the third time this season against Reading on New Year's Day. 

But after the next league fixture on 14 January when they head for QPR to face their former manager Harry Redknapp, Spurs may have to wave goodbye to Adebayor. 

"We don't know yet whether he will go," assistant manager Steffen Freund said. "We have to wait. 

"I think the preparations of most of the teams have started already.

"We would love him in the squad and that he would not go to the African Nations Cup, but it's a massive tournament and we respect his decision." 

Togo play Niger on Saturday and then hold a six-day training camp in Ghana before the tournament, yet it is unclear whether their star striker will meet up with the squad due to a row over unpaid bonuses. 

Considering Tottenham's only other recognised striker is Jermain Defoe, they have been linked with a host of other stars, including Leandro Damiao, Fernando Llorente and Willian. 

Yet Freund appears to think Spurs have enough players to cope should Adebayor be absent for a while. 

"We have been successful with and without him in the team," Freund added. "He was injured for eight games and we had a really good run without him, and with him we are strong. 

"We have Defoe and Clint Dempsey, they can play up front. So can Gylfi Sigurdsson."

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Source: SkySports