Jermain Defoe hints at Tottenham Hotspur exit

Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has admitted that he may be forced to quit Spurs if he is to earn a place in England's World Cup squad next summer.

The 31-year-old has found himself used sparingly in league fixtures with the North London outfit so far this season, with Roberto Soldado often being preferred in attack by manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Consequently Defoe believes that his lack of game time for the Lilywhites is jeopardising his chances of being named in Roy Hodgson's Three Lions squad.

"Getting into a World Cup squad is based on merit and you have to play for your club," he told reporters "As a forward, if you are not getting the chances, it will be difficult.

"It's important that everyone goes back to their clubs and plays games to try to impress the manager.

"It's a long way to go before the World Cup. There is a lot of football to be played and we will see what happens. You never know, I might play every game from now on."

Defoe, whose contract at White Hart Lane expires in 2015, recently usurped Martin Chilvers as the club's all-time leading goalscorer in European competition.