Villas-Boas promises role for Defoe

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says Jermaine Defoe has an important role despite the club’s search for attacking reinforcements.

England international Defoe netted from close range in Spurs’ 2-1 defeat away to Newcastle United on Saturday.

Defoe, who hit an impressive winner for England in their friendly against Italy last week, struggled to hold down a regular spot under Harry Redknapp last season, but still managed to notch 17 goals in all competitions.

Spurs are chasing attacking reinforcements but Portuguese coach Villas-Boas said Defoe will remain a key part of the squad evem if another forward is signed before the end of the transfer window.

He told reporters: “He always has this killer instinct. He scored in midweek for his country, scored for us during pre-season and again here (at Newcastle).

“He is showing that touch that we need up front. Jermain accepts that we are looking for one more striker because the team is in need of that, but when we have them all together the quality of the player is tremendous.

“It is a different situation for him now. I have nothing to do with anything that happened in the past. He is our striker, is playing extremely well, is full of confidence and has been deadly in front of goal.”