• Premier League

Defoe defiant on fitness fears

ESPNsoccernet staff
September 8, 2010
Jermain Defoe was stretchered off in the second half against Switzerland © Getty Images
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Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe expects to be fit to face West Bromwich Albion on Saturday despite suffering an injury on international duty with England.

Defoe, who scored a hat-trick against Bulgaria on Friday, was stretchered off in the second half of England's 3-1 defeat of Switzerland on Tuesday.

The striker was not originally expected to play in either international due to planned groin surgery, but put off the operation to play for Fabio Capello's side. Now he hopes that another injury will not prevent him from representing his club.

"Yeah, definitely," Defoe said 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 alright. I've always said I'll do my best to make sure I'm out there. I've just got to rest it (the injury). I'll just keep icing it and I'm sure I'll be okay."

"I think the movement in the first half was maybe better than the previous game," Defoe added regarding England's performance. "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 and Arsenal are awaiting an update on Theo Walcott's condition after the winger was stretchered off in the opening 13 minutes with an apparent ankle problem.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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