Defoe dreams of England role in Euro 2012

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is confident England can progress from the group stage in Euro 2012.

Defoe has pulled on the England shirt 46 times but is yet to complete a full 90 minutes at international level.

The forward has been kept on the bench at White Hart Lane for most of the season due to the fine form of Emmanuel Adebayor and Harry Redknapp’s preference to use Rafael van der Vaart in support of the Togolese target man.

Defoe has not been named in an international squad since the September win over Wales, and has not featured since a brief cameo appearance against Ghana back in March.

He will be hoping for more game time as he sets out to prove to Capello that he should be on the plane to Ukraine and Poland in June.

“It’s difficult. I understand it’s difficult for the manager to go around and explain to every player why they are or aren’t in the squad.” He told ESPN.

“It’s a case of doing my job for Tottenham, scoring goals and playing well.”

“I think it helps if you’ve been to a tournament before. It’s different when you are there, with the pressure and expectation. Players that have been there and played in a tournament know what it is about.”

Defoe, 29, is also confident that the team can qualify in the group stage , where they will face France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine, and do well in the tournament.

“At that level it’s always going to be difficult, no matter who you play,” he said.

“I think it’s just a case of getting off to a good start and see where you go from there. But I’m quite confident we’ll get out of the group.”

“To win a major tournament you have to face the top teams at some point, but if you avoid those at the beginning then you can win games and build confidence. I think the key is just to get off to a good start.”

Defoe believes his club team-mates Scott Parker and Kyle Walker will become key members of the team that play in the Euros.

“Scott Parker is a natural leader, someone I believe we should have had years ago. Even before the game, the things he says … he’s a born winner,” he said.

“When he plays the game it’s like he’s possessed. (He) just wants to win games and he gets everyone going. He’s done well for us – a massive signing.”

Talking about the rise of Walker, he added: “(He’s) unbelievable. I’ve got to big up my Tottenham mates anyway.”

“A young lad who’s come into the team, but he’s got pace and power – for me he’s got everything to be England right-back for the next 10 years.”

“He’s still young, he’s still got a lot to learn – but he’s been unbelievable for us at the club.”

“Someone like Kyle Walker is never fazed anyway – he’s confident, he knows he’s a good player. (He’s) a natural athlete who I think could do well at (international) level.”