Premier League: Sunderland boss Gus Poyet backs Jermain Defoe for England recall
Sunday 8 February 2015 12:16, UK
Gus Poyet believes striker Jermain Defoe can resurrect his England career after scoring his second goal in three Premier League games for Sunderland.
Defoe headed back to England last month just 11 months into a four-year Major League Soccer contract at Toronto and has immediately hit the goal trail on Wearside.
The former Tottenham man scored his first goal for the club in last Saturday's 2-0 Premier League victory over Burnley and another against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium saw him become the first player to register against every one of the 20 clubs in the top flight.
He is special and there are not many. Proven Premier League goalscorers cost a lot and to find one that can come to us is quite difficult so he's very important for us.
Although Ki Sung-yueng's second-half header secured a point for the home side, Poyet was purring over the 32-year-old's impact - and backed him to return to an England side he last represented against Chile in November 2013.
"When you pick strikers you pick those in form and scoring goals," Poyet said.
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"We saw today Harry Kane at Spurs and it's an obvious choice, but Jermain has a chance if Wayne Rooney plays in midfield.
"But that's up to Roy (Hodgson) to decide. I respect the manager of the national team and the only thing the player can do is perform."
"He is special and there are not many," Poyet told Sky Sports. "Proven Premier League goalscorers cost a lot and to find one that can come to us is quite difficult so he's very important for us.
"Now we know what he can do because he can score from nothing. He knows what he can do and gives us the confidence as a team that sooner or later he will put the ball in the back of the net.
"If we do our jobs, then if we find him on the pitch, then I'm sure he is going to score plenty and that will be a platform for the rest of the season."
Defence
The draw, Sunderland's 12th this season, leaves them just four points above the relegation places, but Poyet feels his side need to start defending better.
"I think there were a few (games) which we deserved to win, but I also remember one or two were we didn't deserve anything," he added.
"On the other hand there are games like today where you need to defend better, especially if you're ahead and especially if you're trying to keep the opposition quiet.
"This is us this season, I cannot change that. Let's hope we continue winning at home."
