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Jermain Defoe plays down anxiety over fitness after sustaining injury for England
Spurs' man put off groin operation to play in Euro qualifiers...
8 Sep 2010 10:52:00
By John Elmes
Jermain Defoe expects to be fit for Tottenham’s match against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, despite picking up an injury on England duty on Tuesday night.
The striker injured his leg before having to be stretchered off in the second half of England’s 3-1 defeat of Switzerland in Basel. However, 27-year-old Defoe believes he will recover in time for Tottenhan's trip to the Hawthorns this weekend.
"Yeah, definitely," Defoe told reporters when asked if he would be fine to play at the weekend.
"I hope so. I jarred my ankle or my knee but it feels all right."
Initially, Defoe was supposed to sit out the Three Lions' recent qualifiers and have surgery on a groin problem, but delayed the operation to play for Fabio Capello's team. He now hopes that this latest niggle will not stop him from representing his club.
"I've always said I'll do my best to make sure I’m out there," he said.
"I've just got to rest it [the injury]. I'll just keep icing it and I'm sure I’ll be okay."
In response to questions about England’s performance in Switzerland, Defoe believes the team deserved their victory.
He said: "I think the movement in the first half was maybe better than the previous game. We did really well, the manager was really happy.
"The energy again was good. In the second half they blew up a bit in the first ten minutes but overall I think we were the better side."
England has now won their opening two matches of Euro 2012 qualifying and sit top of Group G level on points with Montenegro, but with a superior goal difference.
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The striker injured his leg before having to be stretchered off in the second half of England’s 3-1 defeat of Switzerland in Basel. However, 27-year-old Defoe believes he will recover in time for Tottenhan's trip to the Hawthorns this weekend.
"Yeah, definitely," Defoe told reporters when asked if he would be fine to play at the weekend.
"I hope so. I jarred my ankle or my knee but it feels all right."
Initially, Defoe was supposed to sit out the Three Lions' recent qualifiers and have surgery on a groin problem, but delayed the operation to play for Fabio Capello's team. He now hopes that this latest niggle will not stop him from representing his club.
"I've always said I'll do my best to make sure I’m out there," he said.
"I've just got to rest it [the injury]. I'll just keep icing it and I'm sure I’ll be okay."
In response to questions about England’s performance in Switzerland, Defoe believes the team deserved their victory.
He said: "I think the movement in the first half was maybe better than the previous game. We did really well, the manager was really happy.
"The energy again was good. In the second half they blew up a bit in the first ten minutes but overall I think we were the better side."
England has now won their opening two matches of Euro 2012 qualifying and sit top of Group G level on points with Montenegro, but with a superior goal difference.
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