Defoe going nowhere, insists Jol

Defoe has been among the goals despite not playing regularly

Tottenham boss Martin Jol insists striker Jermain Defoe will not be sold during the January transfer window.

Defoe, 24, has not been a regular this season and reports have linked him with a move when the window opens.

Jol hit back: "Jermain's going nowhere, there is always speculation about him but he's very important to us.

"The window will open in a month's time and he has already been linked with Manchester united, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Portsmouth."

Despite his failure to command a regular first-team place, Defoe has scored five goals in his last four starts.

Jol is determined to keep the England striker as Spurs remain in all cup competitions and are starting to climb the Premiership after an indifferent start.

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Dimitar Berbatov is in fine form, while Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane was preferred to Defoe in the recent wins over Chelsea and in European matches.

But with Egyptian striker Mido sidelined with a groin injury, Jol will need Defoe as Spurs face a heavy schedule of eight games in December.

The Spurs boss said: "I'm not going to sell someone who is playing such a crucial part to our challenge in the Carling Cup, Uefa Cup, and Premiership.

"There is all this talk of Jermain not playing regularly but he has started six of the last nine games.

"Robbie has only started three games in the Premiership lately, but nobody is talking about him wanting to go."