Defoe: Aiming to impress
Jermain Defoe has admitted he needs to re-establish himself as one of England's premier strikers.
The Tottenham forward has been in fine form for his club this season, while he has also impressed off the substitutes' bench for the Three Lions.
However, he missed last month's World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus with a broken hand and Peter Crouch took full advantage with a couple of goals.
Competition for places is fierce and Defoe realises he must remind Fabio Capello of what he can offer in Saturday's friendly against Brazil.
The 27-year-old could be handed a rare start and he is determined to prove he is more than just an impact player.
"Do I need to re-establish myself? I think so. Peter Crouch came in the last time and played well, and he is a fantastic player," said Defoe.
"It was frustrating to miss out through injury and when you get an opportunity, you have got to take it. You have to make an impact.
"I don't want to have the title of super-sub but when you don't start it is important you try and make an impression when you come off the bench.
"I haven't started a game for England in 2009 and if the first one was against Brazil it would be special because they are the side that everyone wants to play against."
Tom Huddlestone is another Spurs player in the England squad to face Brazil and Defoe believes his team-mate can stake a late claim for a World Cup spot.
"Tom is a fantastic player and he deserves this call-up," said Defoe.
"He was in the squad last year against Trinidad and Tobago and did well in training and he is a natural footballer.
"If he gets the opportunity, he will be ready. He could force his way into contention for the World Cup and he scored a fantastic goal at the weekend, but ultimately it is up to the England manager."
Defoe insists it is important to look for victory over a Brazil side that will be among the favourites for World Cup glory.
"To win against Brazil would be brilliant. It is a good fixture for us and will give us a chance to see how far we have come," he explained.
"Of course, it is a friendly and there are players injured and missing, but it is important to get a winning mentality before the World Cup."
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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Liverpool vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 | Hull vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Arsenal |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Everton |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Bolton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Wigan |
| 16:00 | Stoke vs Portsmouth |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Everton |
| 20:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Sunderland |
| 17:30 | Aston Villa vs Tottenham |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:00 | Wolverhampton vs Birmingham |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Monday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 2 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Fulham | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd | |
| West Ham 1 - 2 Everton | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 5 - 1 Bolton | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Tottenham 2 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Man City 3 - 3 Burnley | |
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 0 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Everton 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Fulham 3 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Burnley 2 - 0 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 2 Wolverhampton | |
| Portsmouth 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Sunderland 2 - 2 West Ham | |
David Ginola told Sky Sports News that French supporters are appalled by their World Cup play-off win.
Paul Merson can't separate Bolton and Blackburn - but thinks Stoke will see off Portsmouth.
The French Football Federation have refused to back the Football Association of Ireland's call to replay their World Cup play-off.
The FAI have launched a fresh plea with their French counterparts to agree to a replay of their controversial play-off match.
Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane has joined French captain Thierry Henry in calling for a replay of their World Cup qualifier.
Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni will not quit football over the Thierry Henry handball controversy.
The Premier League recommences on Saturday lunchtime as Rafa Benitez's Liverpool go head-to-head with Manchester City at Anfield.