Bournemouth ace motivated by omission from Brazil 2014
Wednesday 11 October 2017 19:24, UK
Jermain Defoe says it is his dream to make England's World Cup squad in Russia next year.
The Bournemouth striker, who recently turned 35, played in the 2010 tournament in South Africa but was overlooked by Roy Hodgson in Brazil four years later.
Now Defoe, who has been back in the England fold this year, believes he can make a contribution next summer and he is out to prove it by continuing to play well for his club.
He told Sky Sports News: "In a World Cup year, you always want to do well for your club because it is based on merit. To get into a squad, you have got to be playing well for your club, it's as simple as that. As a forward, you have got to be scoring goals to get into the squad.
"I think having played in a World Cup, having had that experience, not just the games, the build-up and being at the hotel with the team, just everything involved in being at a World Cup is so special.
"It's the pinnacle and to get the opportunity again would be really special, especially with this group of players.
"I believe this group has got so much more to offer and so, of course, that's the dream, the dream has not changed since day one to play in a major tournament."
Defoe's omission from the 2014 squad still rankles and he is using that as an extra motivation this time around.
"Even to this day, I believe I should have gone," he added. "I know I went to Toronto in March, but leading up to that point, I was playing for Tottenham and scoring consistently.
"I felt sharp and I just felt I should have gone, to be honest. It was a massive disappointment and that motivates me to think that because I missed that one, I want to go to the next one."
Defoe's' next chance to impress Gareth Southgate will be when Bournemouth play Spurs at Wembley on Saturday.
