Harry Redknapp pushes Jermain Defoe's England claim

 
Pushing for an England spot: Jermain Defoe
7 March 2012

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp thinks England are suffering from a severe striker shortage ahead of this summer's European Championship.

But the 65-year-old, overwhelming favourite to take over the manager's role with the national team, feels he could have the answer to the country's problems in Jermain Defoe, despite overlooking the forward for most of the season at White Hart Lane.

Defoe is Spurs' top scorer this season with 13 goals in 29 games, but he has struggled to earn a regular starting place due to the arrivals of Louis Saha and Emmanuel Adebayor.

The former Portsmouth striker hardly received a vote of confidence last week when England's interim head coach Stuart Pearce ignored the 29-year-old, deciding instead to call up the uncapped Fraizer Campbell after a spate of injuries to his front line.

England will be without the suspended Wayne Rooney for the first two games of Euro 2012 and are also likely to be missing Darren Bent due to injury, something which could work to Defoe's advantage, according to Redknapp.

"I am sure [Defoe] could [make the squad]," said Redknapp.

"There is a shortage of strikers if you look at England now, it's certainly a problem position.

"Darren Bent is out for the season, so suddenly you look at that and you think he [Defoe] has every chance of going."

Defoe will have a chance to push his claims of an England recall tonight when he takes to the field for Spurs in their FA Cup fifth-round replay against Stevenage at White Hart Lane.

His manager has called on the former West Ham man to grasp the opportunity with both hands.

"Jermain will play," Redknapp said. "I hope he makes it for the Euros but at the moment, he has to take his opportunity when he has them for Tottenham.

"He has been disappointed not to play but Louis Saha has come in and has done well.

"He (Saha) has scored goals so it has been a difficult one. I have four front men - Saha, Defoe, [Rafael] Van der Vaart and Adebayor so there are always going to be two top players left out but that's life."

Redknapp will field a strong team for the game against the League One club, who earned a replay following a 0-0 draw at the Lamex Stadium last month.

Scott Parker and Gareth Bale are likely to start after missing Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Manchester United and William Gallas could also make an appearance after sitting out the last two months with a calf strain.

"It's good to have him available and around again," Redknapp said.

"He has good competition there. We would like to have him playing again. He has only played a few games.

"That's been a shame because he is a good player. He has won championships with Chelsea. He has been there and done it all and when he is fit he is a fantastic player."

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