Jermain Defoe
Andre Villas-Boas reveals they want Jermain Defoe to see out the remainder of his contract. [Reuters]

Tottenham Hotspur boss Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that he wants Jermain Defoe to see out the remainder of his contract amid speculation the striker could be sold in January.

Defoe has found himself limited to a place on the substitutes bench in the Premier League as summer signing Roberto Soldado has been the man selected to play the lone striker role.

The Spanish striker has scored four league goals, three coming from the penalty spot, while Defoe struggled in his one league appearance as Tottenham succumbed to a 3-0 home loss to West Ham.

Speculation has increased that the England striker could look to leave in January in order to find more regular game time with Toronto FC manager Ryan Nelsen admitting that he was trying to persuade Defoe to make the move to the MLS.

However, Defoe remains the top scorer at the club this season having scored six goals in the Europa League and two in the Capital One Cup, leading Villas-Boas to make it clear he wants him to see out the final 18 months of his contract.

"The player at the moment is our top goalscorer. We want him to stay on." Villas-Boas told the Daily Mail.

While it seems Defoe is set to stay at White Hart Lane his Spurs teammate Jake Livermore has suggested he is prepared to make his loan move to Hull City permanent.

"I'm quite prepared for the question to be asked," said Livermore when quizzed on whether he thought Steve Bruce wanted him to remain at the KC Stadium. "Of course, there's no reason why I wouldn't look at it. They've got all the ground work to be a massive club and to go forward.

"That's what it feels like, it feels as if I need a home now in football. I'm happy coming in each day and doing my business so we'll wait and see in January or at the end of the season.

"I'm prepared for anything in football. I'm enjoying my time here, I love the lads, the manager and the fans. Everyone here is brilliant and I'm getting a run of games so it's so far, so good."

Livermore has excelled playing alongside former Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone for Hull as he enjoys getting regular first team football.

Spurs have plenty of options in midfield and it is unlikely that they would stand in the way of Livermore leaving the club.