Football
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Pochettino: I believe in Adebayor despite Tottenham goal drought

Mauricio Pochettino insists he has been pleased with Emmanuel Adebayor's efforts this season, despite the Tottenham striker so far failing to recapture his goalscoring form of the 2013-14 campaign.

Much was expected from the well-travelled Togo international this term, having impressed after being brought in from the cold by Tim Sherwood after Andre Villas-Boas dropped the forward last term.

With Sherwood replacing Villas-Boas in January and restoring Adebayor to the Spurs squad, the striker repaid the coach's faith with an impressive return of 14 goals in 24 appearances.

Things under successor Pochettino have not gone as well, though, with Adebayor only managing to find the net once despite starting all six Premier League games to date -- but Pochettino was quick to defend his front man.

"I believe in Emmanuel Adebayor," he said. "We know always a striker maybe during some periods finds it difficult to score, but he made a lot of effort for the team.

"The more important thing is that we are convinced that he or another teammate can arrive at the possibility to score, but I am happy with his performance.

"It is true that he knows he needs to score because a striker always lives to score, but I believe in him and have no problem.''

Adebayor is likely to drop out of the starting lineup when Besiktas arrive at White Hart Lane on Thursday night.

Roberto Soldado is in line to come in as replacement for the Europa League clash, although he too has struggled for goals.

In truth, the Spaniard has failed to live up to the hype since arriving from Valencia last year and has been regularly linked with a move away from north London.

"I think we have a strong squad," Pochettino said when asked about the striker. "Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane play in the same place as a striker like Emmanuel Adebayor and have a future in Tottenham.

"I need to pick some players in different games but we believe in all the players we have."

Danny Rose and Etienne Capoue are doubts for Thursday's Group C clash, but the only definite absentee is right-back Kyle Walker.

"At the moment it is impossible to give you the date," Pochettino said when asked when Walker would return from abdominal surgery.

"It is a good recovery at the moment. We are happy but it's impossible to predict the time, when he is maybe ready to train with the team and to start to play."

Eric Dier and Kyle Naughton have filled in at right-back during Walker's absence, while DeAndre Yedlin will soon provide further competition for the role.

Fresh from an impressive World Cup, the United States full-back joined Tottenham in the summer from Seattle Sounders.

Yedlin signed a four-year deal but remained with the Major League Soccer franchise, with his arrival in north London due for either January or June -- a decision Pochettino will only take when Walker's condition becomes clearer.

"It's not a moment to decide as we need to wait for Kyle's evolution and after we decide yes or no," Pochettino added.

"We need to give time for Kyle to recover from his injury. We have time to decide but its impossible now to make a decision now."

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