Defoe eager for more

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe hopes his first goal in nearly three months will earn him a recall for Sunday’s trip to Middlesbrough and start his countdown for an England World Cup place.

The former West Ham marksman, dumped on the bench for four games after a barren run of no goals since September 26, admitted it was a major relief when he scored Spurs’ third in the 90th minute against Portsmouth last night.