Roy took Harry's Defoe word - Concerns over Defoe's lack of games allayed by Redknapp

Posted Monday, May 21, 2012 by skysports.com

Roy took Harry's Defoe word - Concerns over Defoe's lack of games allayed by Redknapp
Jermain Defoe: Included in Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2012 finals

Roy Hodgson has revealed he took Harry Redknapp's advice over striker Jermain Defoe when choosing his Euro 2012 squad.

Defoe made it into Hodgson's 23-man party for this summer's finals as the new England boss seeks to get off to a winning start.

Tottenham boss Redknapp was the favourite to land the England job but there is no ill feeling between the pair and Hodgson sought his rival's advice over the White Hart Lane frontman.

The England boss, who is preparing for his first game in charge against Norway on Saturday, said: "I spoke to Harry about Jermain as I was concerned he had not played every game.

Good player

"Harry said 'I think Defoe's a good player but at the moment I am playing with Adebayor and Van der Vaart behind'.

"Harry was very positive about him in terms of his reference. Defoe is also lucky as almost every team I have put out against Spurs he has managed to score!

"He has that ability to pop up when you least expect and smash the ball into the goal. To have a proven scorer is important for England."