Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson has urged Jermain Defoe to keep plugging away in order to win back his starting place in Andre Villas-Boas's side.
The 30-year-old has come off the bench in all three of his Premier League appearances so far this season following the £26m arrival of Roberto Soldado from Valencia.
However, two goals against Tromso in the Europa League in midweek reminded the Portuguese coach of his ability.
"You can't keep him down because he's a goalscorer, he just loves scoring goals," Dawson told the Daily Star. "We've got a top squad here and, whoever plays on a weekly basis, you've got to go out there and perform - and Jermain's done that.
"Of course it is frustrating when you are not playing, and there's no player who will stand here and claim he doesn't want to play, but there's only 11 you can fit into the team.
"Football is a strange game - this time last year I wasn't in the team but I kept my head down, worked hard and the rewards were great."
The England international scored 11 in 34 league appearances for Spurs last season.
Michael Penkman
