MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 18:59:39| >> :60:744:744:

Jermain Defoe: 'MLS switch benefits World Cup chances'

Jermain Defoe insists that his decision to leave Tottenham for the MLS can only benefit his hopes of being included in the England squad for this summer's World Cup.

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has insisted that his move to Toronto FC can only improve his chances of making England's World Cup squad.

The 31-year-old left Spurs last week after agreeing a move to the MLS, a decision which many have suggested damages his ambitions of going to Brazil this summer.

However, Defoe has claimed that the opportunity to play regularly, which was not always available to him at White Hart Lane, will help him find his match sharpness so he is ready if called upon by Roy Hodgson.

"The first thing I thought about is obviously the World Cup - everyone who's played in the World Cup before knows it's the pinnacle. It's the best thing," he told Sky Sports News. To get a taste of that again would be special. But then I thought I suppose if I'm playing football and I'm sharp and I'm fit, then that's the most important thing.

"I would like to think that at this stage of my career, the (England) manager knows what I can do. It's just a case of being happy and maybe moving on and scoring goals."

"Being in the Premier League my whole career, and moving on to a different league but playing football and hopefully scoring goals and hopefully being sharp, I don't see why that should change anything."

Defoe has scored 19 goals in 55 international appearances since making his Three Lions debut in 2004.

ID:142971: cacheID:142971:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2432:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Southampton's English striker Jay Rodriguez celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match against Newcastle United on December 14, 2013
Read Next:
Five England players that need to impress
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!