Martin Jol has backed Spurs striker Jermain Defoe to make the England squad for the World Cup in June.

Defoe made a strong impression in England's qualifying match against Poland, scoring the winner to help send England through, but has since struggled for first team football at Spurs.

To make matters worse, he's been pushed down the England pecking order by 'Good Touch For a Big Man' himself, Peter Crouch.

However, Jol still believes Defoe will travel with the team to Germany:

"There is no problem with Jermain not starting games. He will get his matches.

"The last couple of times when he came on, he was really on fire. He is probably the only player we have who can really do something out of nothing.

"I don't think it makes it difficult for the England manager to pick Defoe if he is not starting games for us he will still go to Germany."

The biggest problem I can see for Defoe is that, at least in Eriksson's eyes, he doesn't offer something different enough to Owen to command a place as super sub. Eriksson likes to bring on Crouch to completely change the game - he may not see Defoe as a player who can do that.

I've no doubt he'll be on the flight to Germany, but I do think appearances will be few and far between.

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