Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has admitted that he might have needed Emmanuel Adebayor in recent weeks.
The Togo international, 27, joined Tottenham Hotspur on loan at the beginning of the season and has scored nine goals to lift the club to within the top of the table, prompting Mancini to recognise his contribution.
When questioned upon whether he would have liked to have called upon Adebayor during the Carlos Tevez saga, Mancini told Manchester Evening News: "Probably, probably – but we didn't know with Carlos what would happen in Munich.
"We had four strikers. I think four strikers you can play one year. I am happy for Manu because he is playing very well for Tottenham."
City welcome Spurs to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
