Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel has insisted that team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor is not a troublemaker and a lot of the criticism levied against him is undeserved.

The maverick forward has been scrutinised in recent weeks by the media and by Spurs supporters over his perceived poor attitude on and off the pitch alongside a modest goalscoring record so far this season.

But Friedel told talkSPORT on Friday: 'A lot of people want a far sexier story than it actually is. Adebayor is not a bad lad. He's not bad around the training ground. He causes no issues whatsoever to any of the staff or the players.'

Tottenham's Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor has faced criticism from fans and the media recently

Spurs goalkeeper Brad Friedel says Adebayor is not a troublemaker and trains just like everyone else

Adebayor allegedly invited Newcastle players into the Tottenham dressing room following Spurs' 2-1 defeat

The American shot stopper also dismissed claims that Adebayor had invited Newcastle players into the Tottenham dressing room after Spurs' 2-1 defeat to The Magpies in October last year.

'The stories that he was bringing Newcastle players into the changing room and there was a row with players – that never happened. Well, nothing that I saw,' he said.

'Adebayor turns up to training like everybody else and he's a teammate and a friend.

'I think a lot of people are getting a feeling he is a bad egg around the place but he isn't. He's a good guy that trains and tries to get himself into the team and that is that.'

Adebayor joined Tottenham from Manchester City in 2012 for a £5 million fee. He has scored two goals in 15 games in all competitions so far this season.