Jermain Defoe's extended injury absence has given Andre Villas-Boas a selection problem upfront - and how Tottenham get around their lack of natural firepower will be  crucial.

Villas-Boas' selections upfront this season so far have been interesting - he started off with Defoe as a lone striker, and continued to play Defoe solo despite  Emmanuel Adebayor appearing more suited for that role. Then, the Portuguese coach turned to a 4-4-2 system - and stuck with it, despite Adebayor's early red card at  the Emirates in the first match Tottenham played that formation.

That was a surprising move for a coach that believes in dominating the midfield with three players in that zone - although the way Defoe and Adebayor constantly  dropped deep, alternating positions and combining between the lines means playing without a true number nine won't necessarily be a huge problem. In a way, Clint  Dempsey and Lewis Holtby might play similar roles.

Adebayor could be involved if he makes it back from the Africa Cup of Nations in time, but it's hard to believe he'll start the game. Instead, expect Dempsey to play  upfront with Holtby darting around just behind him - this could cause the Newcastle centre-backs problems, as Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor (or Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa)  are physical defenders that prefer battling against traditional strikers, rather than being dragged up the pitch and forced to turn and pick up runners.

Alan Pardew's main concern, however, will be Gareth Bale. His sheer speed means Pardew may instruct Newcastle to play with a deep defensive line, but Pardew should be  relatively confident new right-back Mathieu Debuchy will cope with the Welsh winger's powerful dribbles. Expect to see Jonas Gutierrez deployed on that side too,  helping to restrict Bale's space and push him into tight situations where he can't run directly towards goal.