London, Feb 8: Tottenham Hotspur are currently going through a striker crisis after Jermain Defoe was ruled out for three weeks through injury and there is no sign of Emmanuel Adebayor returning from the African Cup of Nations.

Adebayor has been on international duty with Togo but his side were knocked out of the competition by Burkina Faso at the quarter-final on Sunday.

Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas did not reveal where the forward was but is ready to risk him against Newcastle United on Saturday, even if misses training on Friday. Defoe suffered an ankle injury against West Brom Albion on Sunday and Spurs are left with only Clint Dempsey upfront.

Currently fourth in the Premier League, Spurs were aware of Defoe's injury and Adebayor's absence at least a month in advance. The Londoners were linked with Internacional striker Leandro Damiao but had a cut-price deal rejected for the Brazilian.

Damiao has been linked with a move to White Hart Lane since the London Olympics but Spurs were reluctant to meet Internacional's valuation. Instead, Spurs opted to go on the cheap and sign him during deadline day.

Tottenham are serious contenders to qualify for the Champions League a Chelsea are struggling, Arsenal are inconsistent and Everton do not have a great squad to hang on to their fifth position.

But the lack of strikers could seriosuly damage their chances. American striker Dempsey hasn't been in great form lately and they are now depending on Welsh wizard Gareth Bale.

Spurs only bought Lewis Holtby from Schalke for a bargain price of £1.5million have got offloaded Jermaine Jenas and Andros Townsend off their wage structure. It was right time for Spurs to spend on a striker, at least sign a player on loan for the rest of the season.

Tottenham are just a point below third placed Chelsea but still face likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and even Chelsea. Spurs may gamble by playing their top-scorer Bale in a strikers position but that could hamper his influence in the game.

Meanwhile, Villas-Boas has to hope Adebayor returns for Staurday's clash against Newcastle or else rely on Dempsey and Bale to get the job done.

OneIndia News