Mauricio Pochettino asks fans not to boo Emmaunel Adebayor in North London derby

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino has urged Spurs fans not to boo wantaway striker Emmaunel Adebayor in their clash with Arsenal on Saturday.

The former Gunners forward is likely to receive a frosty reception from both sets of fans, with the Spurs end reportedly angry with his desire to join rivals West Ham United on loan during deadline day.

The Togolese striker also upset Arsenal fans back in 2009 by running the entire length of the pitch to celebrate scoring for Manchester City in front of the Gunners faithful, having left North London on bad terms.

However, Pochettino is asking fans not to boo the striker and instead support him in the derby at White Hart Lane.

"It's important that the fans forget the past. And I think he explained why he made the comments," the 42-year-old said, according to the Daily Star.

"And now, all together, we need to try to get the success because we are in a key moment.

"We need to put out the bad things, the bad energy, we need to try to help each other and try to get the success. This is the important thing."

The Spurs head coach recently showed his support for Adebayor, insisting that he always wanted to keep the striker during the January transfer window.