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Andre Villas-Boas backs Spurs' Gareth Bale to play in same position as Cristiano Ronaldo

Image: Gareth Bale has played through the middle - and scored - in his last two games

Andre Villas-Boas believes Gareth Bale could end up playing in the same position for Tottenham as Cristiano Ronaldo does for Real Madrid.

Bale may be joined up front against Newcastle on Saturday by Emmanuel Adebayor. Adebayor has been on Togo duty at the African Nations Cup for almost a month but despite a striker shortage, Tottenham say they are happy for the 28-year-old to return to training on Friday afternoon - less than 24 hours before the game against the Magpies. Villas-Boas was reluctant to comment on Adebayor's whereabouts on Thursday. He would only say that the striker was "in Africa" to "take care" of some "issues". Given that Jermain Defoe is out for up to three weeks with an ankle injury, the Spurs boss is hopeful that the Togolese will be passed fit. "It's not a big ask for him to play on Saturday," the 35-year-old said. "He is in good form and you have to allow the player to rest and recover. If he is ready physically we will select him. "It's always difficult with the trips from extreme heat to cold. He will not be 100 per cent, but he's still a player that can make a difference." You can only watch the best Barclays Premier League coverage here on Sky Sports. Watch Spurs v Newcastle exclusively live on Sky Sports 2HD, 3D and Sky Go from 12noon on Saturday 9th February. Click here for more details

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