Spurs turn to Dempsey following QPR shut-out

LONDON (AFP) - Andre Villas-Boas is convinced Tottenham Hotspur can maintain their Premier League challenge without striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Adebayor left to join up with Togo ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations immediately after appearing in the 0-0 draw against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Saturday.

His departure leaves Villas-Boas with just one recognised striker, Jermain Defoe, but the Spurs boss is confident his squad can cope thanks to the presence of goal-scoring midfielder Clint Dempsey. "We went through a period without Adebayor through injury and suspension and Clint did extremely well with Defoe. It was one of the good link-ups we had through the season," the Spurs manager said. 

"So he is a player we trust a lot. He always comes strong in the team and scored three goals in the last two games before this. "He is always a goal-scorer, one of our highest goal-scorers, so we believe in him." However, an injury to either Defoe or Dempsey during Adebayor's absence would leave Spurs short of forward options.