Emmanuel Adebayor joined Spurs on a permanent deal last summer Photo: R Goraczniak/Wikimedia

Andre Villas-Boas says Emmanuel Adebayor’s chances at Tottenham Hotspur are limited – but the Spurs boss insists he wants to keep the striker.

The Togo international has been out-of-favour at White Hart Lane this season as Villas-Boas has alternated between summer signing Roberto Soldado and Jermain Defoe up front.

Adebayor, who is still to make an appearance this term, scored five goals in 24 Premier League appearances following a permanent move to Tottenham from Manchester City in August 2012.

Villas-Boas won’t entertain the idea of selling the former Arsenal forward in the January transfer window despite the African’s continued absence from the starting line-up.

“I’m fine with the strikers that I have and I don’t think he’s considering any move,” Villas-Boas said.

The Tottenham manager has discarded the 4-4-2 formation which he deployed last season in favour of his own variation of 4-5-1.

Soldado, who was signed in a £26m deal, has established himself as first-choice at Spurs, whilst Defoe is hot on the Spaniard’s heels.

And Villas-Boas admitted Adebayor, who has recovered from a foot contusion, will have to wait for his opportunity to lead Tottenham’s front-line.

“I’ve spoken to him about the situation,” Villas-Boas added.

“This team has changed from playing 4-4-2 to one striker up front. It’s a massive change and alongside the goalkeeper position, it’s a position where three players compete for one place.

“I don’t see us going back to 4-4-2.”

He continued: “For the moment, it’s not going to happen. Adebayor is very hungry to get in the first-team but he has to understand that Soldado is on eight goals and Defoe is on six goals.

“It’s a question of time until he gets an opportunity to come back and like every other player, has to make the most of it.”