Jermain Defoe: 'MLS switch benefits World Cup chances'

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 07 March 2014

Jermain Defoe insists that his decision to leave Tottenham for the MLS can only benefit his hopes of being included in the England squad for this summer's World Cup.

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has insisted that his move to Toronto FC can only improve his chances of making England's World Cup squad.

The 31-year-old left Spurs last week after agreeing a move to the MLS, a decision which many have suggested damages his ambitions of going to Brazil this summer.

However, Defoe has claimed that the opportunity to play regularly, which was not always available to him at White Hart Lane, will help him find his match sharpness so he is ready if called upon by Roy Hodgson.

"The first thing I thought about is obviously the World Cup - everyone who's played in the World Cup before knows it's the pinnacle. It's the best thing," he told Sky Sports News. To get a taste of that again would be special. But then I thought I suppose if I'm playing football and I'm sharp and I'm fit, then that's the most important thing.

"I would like to think that at this stage of my career, the (England) manager knows what I can do. It's just a case of being happy and maybe moving on and scoring goals."

"Being in the Premier League my whole career, and moving on to a different league but playing football and hopefully scoring goals and hopefully being sharp, I don't see why that should change anything."

Defoe has scored 19 goals in 55 international appearances since making his Three Lions debut in 2004.