Dempsey prepared to fight for new attacking role at Tottenham

Jan 21, 2013 8:40:00 PM

The in-form American international insists that he will not surrender his place in the Spurs frontline easily when Emmanuel Adebayor returns from Afcon duty with Togo

Clint Dempsey has warned Emmanuel Adebayor he will not give up his place in the Tottenham side easily when the striker returns from Afcon duty with Togo.

The 29-year-old was paired in attack with Jermain Defoe by manager Andre Villas-Boas against Manchester United on Sunday and rewarded his boss when he scored a 93rd-minute equaliser to force a 1-1 draw with the league leaders.

Adebayor is certain to miss Spurs' next two games at least, and Dempsey, who has scored seven goals so far this season for, sees it as the perfect opportunity to prove his worth.

"Ade is a great player and he is going to be missed, but there is competition," the American told reporters.

"You try and fight for a spot and when you get an opportunity to play you want to stand up and take advantage of that opportunity.

"For me, it was a slow start to the season so it's good to be chipping in with goals now and repaying the club for their belief in me. Hopefully there will be more goals to come because that's why they brought me here.

"I can play that position [striker]. It's a position I feel comfortable in, a position I have played a lot this season and I feel like I am starting to feel more comfortable there.

"Now it's about just trying to create more chances in the attacking third, whether it's getting goals or getting assists and I feel like I have been on a good run of form."

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