Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas thinks Jermain Defoe has rediscovered his deadly scoring touch just at the right time.
Defoe played some of the best football of his career before Christmas, finding the net 13 times to silence the doubters who claimed he was no longer good enough to cut it in the Barclays Premier League. His form and fitness dipped just after the new year, however, thanks to a niggling pelvis problem.
But Villas-Boas said: "It's good because he had a blip in terms of goals, not performances - he was always sharp - but he had a couple of injuries. Now he is back he gives us that quality and confidence by scoring."
The 30-year-old went through a 12-game dry patch, but he looked back to his best on Sunday as he came off the bench to help inspire Tottenham to come from behind and beat Manchester City 3-1.
Emmanuel Adebayor's erratic form had led to fears that Spurs would not have the firepower to keep up with rivals Arsenal and Chelsea in the run-in, but Defoe's return gives Villas-Boas a welcome selection headache ahead of Saturday's trip to Wigan.
"Yes, it's a big decision (to choose between Defoe and Adebayor), but we are extremely happy," Villas-Boas added.
"It's very important for us to have Jermain back, particularly because he found the back of the net. Goalkeepers have been making impossible saves against him and he finally got the ball in the net the other day with a tremendous goal that helped us get the three points.
"It's good because he had a blip in terms of goals, not performances - he was always sharp - but he had a couple of injuries. Now he is back he gives us that quality and confidence by scoring."
Villas-Boas is likely to partner Defoe with Gareth Bale - who also scored on his return from injury against City.
Aaron Lennon, arguably as important to Spurs this season as Player of the Year favourite Bale, failed a fitness test prior to last Sunday's game, but Villas-Boas confirmed the England winger is fit to return from his three-week knee injury layoff this weekend.
Source: PA
