By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: <a href= http://bit.ly/lsiOza' class='instorylink'>@skysportspeteo</a>
Monday 20 August 2012 09:30, UK
Image:Jermain Defoe: Scored for Spurs in their weekend defeat at Newcastle
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has ruled out selling Jermain Defoe before the close of the transfer window.
Striker gets assurances from Spurs chief
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has ruled out selling Jermain Defoe before the close of the transfer window.
Defoe has been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane this summer after finding his starts limited last season.
The 29-year-old is the only senior striker on Spurs' books at present and he scored in their opening day defeat at Newcastle.
Defoe has raised concerns over his future if he is not playing regularly, but Villas-Boas has assured the England international he remains pivotal to his plans despite his desire to bring in another striker.
"He always has this killer instinct. He scored in midweek for his country, scored for us during pre-season and again here," said Villas-Boas.
"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."
