Defoe backs Owen

EXCLUSIVE: Jermain Defoe says he is one of Michael Owen's biggest fans - and is backing him to get back on the goal trail with England.

Tottenham star Defoe and Real Madrid man Owen could be going head to head for the right to partner Wayne Rooney against Wales, and it's a selection dilemma that has got the whole nation talking.

Should Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson go with a Rooney-Defoe partnership and drop England's top scorer, who has only started one match for Real this season?

Should he stick with proven 27-goal man Owen - or even play all three together?

And that's even before you take into account the presence of in-form Alan Smith and quicksilver Darius Vassell!

But when it comes to rivalry in training, Defoe says there is no way he will join Owen's Spanish critics.

He said: "I have a big respect for Michael Owen, especially as a young player looking up to him. He's a proven goalscorer and has done so much for England.

"All goalscorers go through a spell when it seems like the hardest thing in the world to score a goal but I'm sure he'll be back.

"A lot of the young forwards coming through can learn a lot from Michael. He's scored so many goals in the Premier League, Europe and international football and now he's moved to one of the biggest clubs in the world I know he'll come through all this criticism."

It will be interesting to see who Sven eventually plumps for up front when England line up against the Welsh at Old Trafford on Sunday. But one thing's for certain - there will be no shortage of striking talent on show!

Defoe said: "No matter who plays we'll all be really up for the game and there's no chance of being complacent, especially with Rio, Sol and Wayne back in the squad.

"We're a much stronger squad with those players in, they have all played in major competitions for England.

"As for me, playing and scoring in Poland was a great day for me and maybe a big breakthrough. But at the end of the day it was a massive match for us all and everybody played well.

"If I did get a chance again I would be ready, no question about that. If I don't it would be disappointing because although I'm young I just want to play as many games as possible. But the manager is the one who picks the team and I just have to do my best.

"I think it will be a great game against Wales. Simon Davies and Ryan Giggs will be dangerous for them and John Hartson too - I was a young lad at West Ham when he was there and I remember thinking what strong player he was.

"But they have other players, too, like Robert Earnshaw who is a player I have always liked and someone who always scores goals. It will be a great battle and I would just love to get out there against them!"

The only problem for Defoe is that Owen, Rooney, Vassell and Smith would like to be there too. So, over to you, Sven!