Defoe to impress - views on the other strikers too!

Jermain Defoe wants to stake his claim for a regular England starting place with an impressive display in the friendly against Denmark on Wednesday.

Michael Owen is suspended for the World Cup Qualifier against Wales next month so Defoe has a good chance of partnering Rooney up front for both games.

"This is a massive opportunity for me and I've got to grab it with both hands," I feel sharp and fit and I'm looking forward to the games." said the Spurs striker.

He realises however that when Owen is available again he will not be favorite to be picked ahead of him.

"Michael has been there and done it; he's scored so many goals for England and at club level. He's a natural goalscorer and his record is unbelievable," he said.

Interesting to see if Darren Bent gets a game after his late inclusion too!

Also not wanting to start another thread about England strikers for the upcoming friendly what are peoples views on Alan Smith and his decision to play for Man United reserves and not travel with England?

They are saying that he will have ruined all prospects of ever playing for his country again!

Your views on Defoe - Bent Owen and Smith - and any other!

I always liked Defoe.i hope he plays regular football for England.he is a genius.

Owen is always number 1 striker.Superb

Bent will be a great addition to the Premiership but Sven wont give him long on the pitch

Smith is changing his position to centre mid.defo wont play for England.Judas

Bent got into the squad after scoring 2 goals agaisnt . . . sunderland ?!?!

Didnt Alan Smith state that he wasnt fully fit and wanted to play in the reserve game to build up his fitness ?

Yes, he did.
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"Prior to the initial squad announcement United coaching staff spoke with Sven and the FA and it was agreed that Alan Smith would be left out of the squad so he could gain match fitness," said the statement.

"It was then cleared that he would play in the reserve game at Bolton.

"It is by no means due to Alan Smith's lack of desire to play for England."


Eriksson said: "I take the blame and it's finished now. The door is not closed for Alan Smith, I promise you."

"I think he had his reasons, maybe he thought he wasn't fit and wanted 90 minutes of football rather than sitting on the bench."

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I think there is nothing wrong with his decision.
He has to work on his fitness.
He knows he won't be the third or even fourth choice in the team.
I say he's brave to make the decision.

I think Smith's decision was a good one and seems like it was cleared with the England setup before the squad announcement.

The controversy and importanceness of this has been invented by the media, in my opinion.

I also think that if Smith does change into a midfielder at Manchester United he is effectively giving up on his chance of ever being a first choice for England. But i think he realises that he wont ever be at the top of the pecking order for England strikers.

He is still young enough to make the grade and i heard Sven say last night that it was the fitness coach that wanted him to play a full 90 minutes so he is not out of the picture - But personally i think for the midfield position he can never live up to Keane and Carrick must be ahead of him for the central midfield position!

He is not in the same class as the current crop of forwards!

I ll give him something - he is a tryer!

Well it looks like Defoe blew it with a very average first half performance against Denmark.

I didnt catch the game so i dont know what the service or support was but i dont think Sven will be looking for excuses.

Rooney and Owen will rightly be back up front against Wales.

So, who should get their chance next time a friendly comes along?

If Darren Bent carries on his form from last seasons championship and his first game of the prem season he would be worth a go. Crouch maybe?

What about giving Joe Cole a go up front, i think he could be a great striker given the opportunities, much like Michael Owen.

Owen is banned from the next game so prority should have been given to sorting out Rooney's partner in my opinion!

Defoe will score if he plays against Wales!

Is Dyer not fit because he looked sharp numerous times up front with Alan Shearer last season!

Chasing everything and causing havoc!

The midfielders and the forwards have goals in them so why not Dyer!

I still think that Scholes is a massive miss for England!

Defensive midfield is also a huge gaping hole that needs to be plastered over!

Carrick??? Maybe!