Jermain Defoe has admitted that he is frustrated by a lack of opportunities at Tottenham Hotspur.

The striker has scored 16 goals in 37 appearances for Harry Redknapp's side this season.

Despite the good strike rate, Defoe believes that he is not being given the game time that he deserves at White Hart Lane.

"It still feels like I will only get a game if someone is injured or suspended," Defoe told The Mirror.

"Sometimes I even feel like I'm in the youth team, because I know that, whatever I do in midweek, I won't get a game at the weekend.

"The manager picks the team and I would never be disrespectful to the manager, but when someone doesn't talk to you and explain what's going on it's hard."

Defoe moved to White Hart Lane for a second spell from Portsmouth in 2009.