Jermain Defoe insists on Tottenham Hotspur stay

Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has insisted that he does not want to leave the club in January.

The England international has struggled for first-team appearances in the Premier League this season and has been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane.

"Of course, it is frustrating that for all the goals, I have not had much of a chance in the Premier League," he told The Express.

"Fans ask me all the time, but I don't need to tell anybody I am frustrated. That is just normal. People know I love my football, and I love scoring goals. When I am not getting the opportunity to do that, it is frustrating.

"But I have never once said I wanted to leave this football club. Even when I left the first time [in 2008], I didn't say I wanted to leave the club. All I will say is that I want to play."

Defoe has yet to score in the Premier League this season, but has netted nine times in seven matches in the Europa League and the League Cup.