Defoe gutted to miss out

Pompey ace wants European football

By James Pearson   Last updated: 29th April 2008

Jermain Defoe for Portsmouth

Defoe: Gutted to miss out

It's very frustrating to miss the Cup Final. I think about it every day.

Defoe
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Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe has revealed his anguish at missing out on the club's impending FA Cup final clash against Cardiff City.

The South Coast side snapped up the England international in January, although he has been unable to feature in the competition after being cup-tied for playing for Spurs.

Defoe is crossing his fingers his team-mates see off The Bluebirds at Wembley and book a place in next season's Uefa Cup as he is desperate for some more European football.

Frustrating

"It's very frustrating to miss the Cup Final. I think about it every day," he told the Daily Mirror. "But I'm still looking forward to the game and I'll be at Wembley to cheer the guys on.

"The good thing is that if we beat Cardiff then we'll be in Europe next year which is where we all want to play. I definitely think I came here at the right time. Pompey are a club on the up.

"When you look at the players we have in our squad, it's clear we're good enough to play in Europe A lot of the lads have played in the Champions League before so it wouldn't be a new experience for them."