‘Rusty’ Adebayor won’t start on Saturday, Pardew confirms

Emmanuel Adebayor: Could make Eagles debut from bench on Saturday

Emmanuel Adebayor: Could make Eagles debut from bench on Saturday

Alan Pardew will resist the temptation to start new signing Emmanuel Adebayor in Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Stoke, as he feels the striker will be ‘too rusty’.

Saturday’s fixture represents Palace’s first since the arrival of Adebayor on a free transfer until the end of the season, but despite his team’s recent impotence in front of goal Pardew will resist starting him in the belief he remains short of match fitness.

“Ade won’t start on Saturday, this guy has not been around the action enough,” he said.

“Whether he’ll be involved or not I’ll have to see, that’s a decision I’ll make with Ade. He doesn’t look too far away, that’s the good news.”