Frustrated Defoe out to end talk of Owen return
JERMAIN DEFOE is looking to end the Michael Owen debate once and for all when he leads the line for England this Saturday.
The Tottenham hotshot has played his way into boss Fabio Capello’s World Cup plans with five goals in his last three England internationals.
But still all the talk surrounds the absence of Owen, who is looking to add to his 40 goals in an England shirt.
Defoe’s form for club and country is expected to earn him a start in the friendly with Slovenia this weekend as England prepare for the crucial World Cup qualifier with Croatia next Wednesday.
But Defoe admits he still gets a bit frustrated with Owen’s omission from the squad grabbing all the attention.
Asked if is bothers him, Defoe said: “It does, yes, a little bit. It’s like if my name gets mentioned Michael Owen’s has got to get mentioned as well. That is sometimes frustrating.
“Michael Owen is a great player but it is not that if I’m in the squad he’s not, or that if he is in the squad, I’m not. It would be nice to get away from it.”
Meanwhile Capello has drafted Bolton’s Gary Cahill into his squad for the friendly with Slovenia.
The 23-year-old has been called up as cover for captain John Terry and Wes Brown who both picked up “minor knocks” in training.
Rio Ferdinand is already missing with a thigh injury.