Defoe targets Wembley date

Spurs ace hoping to make FA Cup final

Last updated: 5th February 2010  

Defoe targets Wembley date

Defoe: In fine form

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England international Jermain Defoe is hoping to make it third time lucky for Spurs and feature in a cup final for Harry Redknapp's side.

The 27-year-old has been the unlucky man for Spurs in the past two years, missing out on both their Carling Cup finals due to injury and being cup-tied respectively.

Defoe secured Spurs' place in the fifth round of the FA Cup in their replay at Leeds on Wednesday with a well-taken hat-trick at Elland Road.

The former Portsmouth striker admits it was hard to watch his team-mates from the sidelines in recent years, but is philosophical over the issue and believes everything happens for a reason.

"When you miss out on big occasions through injury, it's hard to take," explained Defoe.

"But this time round maybe I can get there. It would be extra special if we went on to win it.

Reason

"Everything happens for a reason and maybe I just wasn't meant to play in those finals.

"When I came back to Tottenham and broke my foot, it was my first-ever injury. I had an operation and was out for 10 weeks, so it just wasn't meant to be."

Defoe's hat-trick at Elland Road has taken his tally for the season to 23 for club and country, making him a strong contender to make Fabio Capello's England's team for the World Cup.

The 38-cap international has never doubted his ability and knows that with the high quality in Redknapp's star-studded squad he will always have chances to score.

"As a forward, it's so important to get the goals, although I've always said if you don't score, it's not the end of the world," he continued.

"But I kept working hard and I knew they would start going in for me again and that's what has happened.

"When you are surrounded by good players, as I am at Tottenham, you are going to get chances."

Special praise

Defoe also reserved special praise for forgotten winger David Bentley after he gave Leeds left-back Andy Hughes a torrid time on Wednesday.

The former Blackburn ace has failed to recapture his best form at White Hart Lane, mainly due to Aaron Lennon's impressive displays, but showed what he is all about at Elland Road with a blistering display on the right wing.

"He was outstanding at Leeds. People ask where he's been, but he hasn't gone away.

"I was saying to him after the game that, considering he hasn't played much this season, his fitness was incredible.

"Even towards the end he was flying down that wing and defensively he helped out. He's still a fantastic player."