Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp says he will not take a "dangerous" risk on the fitness of Emmanuel Adebayor ahead of Sunday's Barclays Premier League match at Newcastle.
The on-loan Manchester City striker has been struggling with a hamstring strain picked up in Spurs' derby win over Arsenal 10 days ago and is believed to have a 50-50 chance of playing in at St James' Park.
"He has got a bit of a hamstring (problem). He played on with it last week. He did it in the first half against Arsenal and he played on, which is not easy. He did have a tear. It's touch and go for him really," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.
"It's a dangerous one. If he tears it badly, he has got a grade one tear if he makes a real mess of it and he could be out for six or seven weeks.
"It's a difficult one to risk him, but we will see how he feels. We will give him a couple of days yet, keep treating him and hopefully he could be okay. If he is a doubt, I wouldn't want to risk him. I wouldn't want to lose him long term."
Influential midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, who hit the opener in the 2-1 win over the Gunners last time out, is also struggling to be fit after a long-standing hamstring complaint again reared its head while on international duty with Holland.
"He sometimes has a problem with that," said Redknapp. "He has had a few hamstring (injuries) since he's been with us, but he's important to us - he scores goals. He's an amazing finisher."
Redknapp added that Croatia duo Vedran Corluka and Niko Kranjcar picked up knocks while on international duty and are also doubts, while Brazilian midfielder Sandro is being monitored after suffering a calf problem.
"We have got one or two little knocks," Redknapp continued.
"I lost a couple of boys last night playing for Croatia - Corluka and Niko Kranjcar both had to come off with injuries. They are getting scans. Sandro, as well, picked up a calf (injury) last week, so we are waiting to see how he is. We have got one or two niggles but hopefully we'll be okay."
Source: PA
