Andre Villas-Boas insists Emmanuel Adebayor has a part to play in his plans at Tottenham after cooling reports he could quit White Hart Lane.
The striker is yet to start a match this season and reports this week have linked him with a move away from White Hart Lane in January.
Villas-Boas says the 28-year-old will have to be patient.
"Obviously, every player wants to play, at the moment we are using the structure of one striker and Defoe has been doing extremely well," said the Spurs boss.
"I think Ade has done extremely well in the games where he has come in for the squad, certainly he is in contention for games where we play with two strikers.
"At the moment we haven't found the comfort in that formation yet, but in the future when we use it, when we rotate the strikers he will be back in contention."
When asked whether the striker was actively seeking a move, Villas-Boas responded.
"No, I don't think so. I don't think the club will be willing to let anyone go."
