Defoe still hopes to make England squad for 2018 World Cup

Bournemouth striker Jermain Defoe insists he is still determined to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Defoe was named in the England squad for their matches against Slovenia and Lithuania over the last two weeks but the veteran striker was an unused substitute in both games.

The 35-year-old has endured a difficult start to the season with Bournemouth, only managing one league goal in seven appearances this season, but Defoe is still dreaming of featuring for England at another major tournament.

“In a World Cup year, you always want to do well for your club because it is based on merit,” he told Sky Sports. “To get into a squad, you have got to be playing well for your club, it’s as simple as that. As a forward, you have got to be scoring goals to get into the squad.

“I think having played in a World Cup, having had that experience, not just the games, the build-up and being at the hotel with the team, just everything involved in being at a World Cup is so special. It’s the pinnacle and to get the opportunity again would be really special, especially with this group of players.

“I believe this group has got so much more to offer and so, of course, that’s the dream, the dream has not changed since day one to play in a major tournament.”

Defoe has amassed more than 50 senior international caps for England since making his debut under Sven-Goran Eriksson in March 2004 and has already represented the Three Lions at Euro 2012 and the 2010 World Cup.

However, Defoe’s form has tailed off somewhat in 2017. He has only managed seven league goals in 25 appearances this calendar year, while even Peter Crouch has found the back of the net more times in that period (8).