Defoe dismisses exit rumours

Defoe dismisses exit rumours

Apr 4 2006

Echo-Post

TOTTENHAM striker Jermain Defoe remains committed to the club despite admitting that a lack of first-team action has put his World Cup chances at risk.

The 23-year-old has spent large parts of the season on the bench, with Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez claiming Spurs were "desperate" to sell the England striker. Spurs boss Martin Jol rejected Benitez's claims, while the striker insists he has no intention of leaving.

"I'm happy here, there's a great bunch of lads, the fans have been tremendous all year," Defoe said. "I think we've achieved something special this season so I can't see why I would think about going somewhere else."

Defoe has scored eight goals this season and is expected to be selected for Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad to play in Germany this summer, although the former West Ham striker admits being in and out of the team means his place could be under threat.

worried?'. Of course you're going to be worried because there are other great strikers in the country, English strikers who are playing and scoring goals.

"I just want to be the same, I want to play and score goals. I believe if I play I will score goals, so we'll see what happens."

Defoe also admitted it would be "heartbreak" if Tottenham fail to finish fourth in the Barclays Premiership this season. Spurs have held fourth place for much of the season - which should earn a place in the Champions League qualifiers - but have suffered inconsistent form recently.

"What we've been talking about is positive - the Champions League," Defoe added.

"We've been quite consistent this season the team spirit is good and everybody believes we can stay there. It's something you try not to think about, you try to be positive and think that we have done so well until now, hopefully if we keep it going it will happen.

"If it doesn't happen then it would be a heartbreak because as a team and squad we have achieved so much."