Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas will not sell Jermain Defoe

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says he will not be selling Jermain Defoe in January despite the striker starting just once in the Premier League this season.

Summer signing Roberto Soldado has been first choice under Villas-Boas with Defoe mostly restricted to action in the Europa League.

The 31-year-old, who is Spurs' all-time leading goalscorer in European competitions, has only started once in league - against West Ham - and is keen to play more with the World Cup coming at the end of the season.

When asked if Defoe could quit White Hart Lane, the Portuguese manager replied: "No, I don't think so.

"We are pretty happy with the goals he is producing. He is on nine goals already so it is a great start for him and it doesn't change our perspective regarding his position in the team.

"I'm not sure about the selection process for [England manager] Roy Hodgson

but from what I have seen he has been counting on Jermain in the same way and he has been included in all call-ups since we started playing this season."

Villas-Boas says he is pleased with the contribution of both Defoe and Soldado, who have scored 15 goals between them across all competitions.

"We've been rotating," Villas-Boas said.

"I'm extremely happy with both, it is just a question of deciding what is better on a specific date and regarding specific strategies.

"Obviously everyone wants to play consecutively and get matches in the Premier

League.

"But we have found comfort playing in this system and we have three strikers competing for that position and it hasn't been easy for any of them."