Despite his poor performance this season, Emmanuel Adebayor is still important for Tottenham. Especially when the team’s second striker is unavailable.

Jermain Defoe has worsened this week an ankle injury and will be unavailable for the next three games.

“Jermain has a muscle injury that will probably get him out of the next two games and maybe for the return match in Basel,” Villas-Boas told a news conference Wednesday.

“It’s a blow for us. This is the same muscle on which he had a small tear last month. He means a lot to us. But there is Ade. He is criticized because he did not score much this season but I know his importance in the field, “said the Portuguese coach.

Tottenham faces Thursday in the quarter-finals of the Europa League the Swiss club of Basel.