Spurs new boy braced for first start against Newcastle

Lewis Holtby applauds the travelling Tottenham fans after the victory at West Bromwich Albion

Friday, February 8, 2013
8:29 PM

Tottenham head coach Andre Villas-Boas has to decide whether he throws Emmanuel Adebayor in to the team despite his lack of training, persist with Clint Dempsey as a makeshift centre-forward, or deploy Gareth Bale up front as he hinted he might do yesterday.

If Adebayor does not start, it could mean Lewis Holtby makes his full debut against Alan Pardew’s side.

The Germany international has impressed off the bench twice since his move from Schalke, and could be deployed on the left flank if Bale plays down the middle.

“He’s made an immediate impact in the team in both games,” Villas-Boas said of the £1.25million midfielder.

“Lewis offers further options playing from the channels coming in. “We haven’t seen him in this position yet, but he finds comfort in that position because he played it before for Mainz.

“At the moment he’s playing fantastically well. Hopefully we will continue to see him progress.”

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