Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas confirms Jermain Defoe fit to face Arsenal

Tottenham have received a boost ahead of their crucial north London derby showdown with Arsenal with the news that Jermain Defoe could start.

Spurs failed to land their top target Leandro Damiao in the summer, leaving Defoe as the club's principal threat in attack, with Emmanuel Adebayor struggling for goals.

They are set to go back in for the Internacional striker in the summer but for now must make do with what they have.

It meant Defoe's ankle injury threatened to derail their season when he sustained the problem at the start of February.

But Spurs have coped with his absence well and are currently third, with the chance to open up a seven-point gap on Arsenal if they beat them on Saturday.

And now Andre Villas-Boas, the February manager of the month, has been given some good news ahead of the showdown.

Defoe is back in training and could even start against Arsenal, as AVB confirmed: "Defoe has trained for the past two days and is in contention for the game."