The striker has been included in Spurs’ 20-man squad to face FC Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday night in Transnistria, a self-declared independent state in Moldova that is not recognised by any other nation.
Man of the moment Andros Townsend, however, has stayed in London ahead of Tottenham’s double header in the Premier League and Capital One Cup against Hull City on Sunday and Wednesday, while England team-mate Kyle Walker and midfielder Paulinho have also been rested.
Lifeline? Emmanuel Adebayor is far down the Tottenham strikers' pecking order
'It was just an opportunity to recover a little bit, and the squad is big enough,' Villas-Boas said.
'We all recognise Andros is in an exceptional moment. The different thing we have this season from before is we have quality throughout, which allows us to do these things.
'Last season that wasn't the case. We had much less rotation and a small squad and, to some extent, we ended up paying the price when we had injuries to major players. That's the first difference.
'Then you judge the travelling and the amount of games and training sessions. These are all things we measure up, but the most important thing is we have the quality within our squad.'
Jermain Defoe is set to start up front as
he continues his pursuit of Martin Chivers’ club record of 22 goals for
Spurs in European competition, but manager Andre Villas-Boas said
Adebayor ‘has a chance’ of playing after being forced to train with the
development squad last month.
The Togo striker, 29, joined pre-season training late after spending time with his family following the death of his brother and has yet to make an appearance for Tottenham so far this season.
Villas-Boas said: ‘Adebayor travelled. There is a chance he could be involved, but I’m not sure if he’s starting or not yet.
'Last season we wouldn't rotate as much for this competition as we have so far. This is done because of the immense talent we have at our disposal.
'We can make six or seven changes now, which keeps the players fresh and motivated.
'There is always that chance they can break into the team, although both are established players and have been successful in the past.'
‘We decided to leave Walker, Andros and Paulinho in London. I think the squad is very big and has responded very well to rotation.
‘We like to pick different players. Paulinho definitely (needed to be rested) after the trips to Asia and Andros for the run of games (he has had recently). It was just an opportunity to recover a little bit, and the squad is big enough to cope.’
Villas-Boas has brought an abundance of attacking talent with him for the match, which could seal progress to the knockout stages if Anzhi's clash with Tromso ends in a draw and the north Londoners win.
'It is very important for us [to get it wrapped up], particularly bearing in mind the Tromso trip, which is on an interesting type of pitch and extremely difficult weather conditions,' he said.
'The idea will be, hopefully, to finish the qualification in these two games.
'We've had all these big trips but the motivation has been high. But the opponent is always difficult, and Sheriff have quality and experience, and we will have to fight against those qualities.'
Tottenham (probable 4-2-3-1): Lloris; Naughton, Dawson, Chiriches, Vertonghen; Dembele, Sandro; Lennon, Holtby, Lamela; Defoe.
TV: LIVE on ITV4 from 5.30pm (kick-off 6pm).
'We all recognise Andros is in an exceptional moment. The different thing we have this season from before is we have quality throughout, which allows us to do these things.
'Last season that wasn't the case. We had much less rotation and a small squad and, to some extent, we ended up paying the price when we had injuries to major players. That's the first difference.
'Then you judge the travelling and the amount of games and training sessions. These are all things we measure up, but the most important thing is we have the quality within our squad.'
Third choice: Adebayor remains behind Roberto Soldado and Jermain Defoe at Spurs
The Togo striker, 29, joined pre-season training late after spending time with his family following the death of his brother and has yet to make an appearance for Tottenham so far this season.
Villas-Boas said: ‘Adebayor travelled. There is a chance he could be involved, but I’m not sure if he’s starting or not yet.
Rested: The in-form Andros Townsend, and Kyle Walker, have not travelled to Transnistria
'They don't need opportunities or
chances. They're valued and they're great quality players. The
difference from last year, I think, is the competition is higher.'Last season we wouldn't rotate as much for this competition as we have so far. This is done because of the immense talent we have at our disposal.
'We can make six or seven changes now, which keeps the players fresh and motivated.
'There is always that chance they can break into the team, although both are established players and have been successful in the past.'
Absent: Summer signing Paulinho has also been left out of the squad
‘We decided to leave Walker, Andros and Paulinho in London. I think the squad is very big and has responded very well to rotation.
‘We like to pick different players. Paulinho definitely (needed to be rested) after the trips to Asia and Andros for the run of games (he has had recently). It was just an opportunity to recover a little bit, and the squad is big enough to cope.’
Villas-Boas has brought an abundance of attacking talent with him for the match, which could seal progress to the knockout stages if Anzhi's clash with Tromso ends in a draw and the north Londoners win.
Squad management: Andre Villas-Boas has considerable strength in depth at his disposal
While Group K always looked like it
would be a cakewalk, qualifying with three games to spare would be an
impressive feat in a competition the Portuguese won with Porto two years
ago.'It is very important for us [to get it wrapped up], particularly bearing in mind the Tromso trip, which is on an interesting type of pitch and extremely difficult weather conditions,' he said.
'The idea will be, hopefully, to finish the qualification in these two games.
'We've had all these big trips but the motivation has been high. But the opponent is always difficult, and Sheriff have quality and experience, and we will have to fight against those qualities.'
Tottenham (probable 4-2-3-1): Lloris; Naughton, Dawson, Chiriches, Vertonghen; Dembele, Sandro; Lennon, Holtby, Lamela; Defoe.
TV: LIVE on ITV4 from 5.30pm (kick-off 6pm).
