Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor has revealed that he irritated manager Andre Villas-Boas with his Africa Cup of Nations U-turn.

The 28-year-old, whose participation at the tournament was doubtful after he had raised issues about payments and security, now has a place in Togo's 23-man squad, having been training with the side.

Villas-Boas had previously stated that he was happy with Adebayor attending the competition, but the player insists that his sudden change of heart has not gone down well with the Portuguese boss behind closed doors.

"That is what he said to the press, but not what he said to me," Adebayor told the Togo Football Federation's website when asked whether Villas-Boas's public utterances were accurate.

"There is a difference between what you say to the press and what you say in private."

Jermain Defoe is now Spurs' only recognised striker, following Adebayor's departure for the competition.