King of the crop

Jermain Defoe believes his Tottenham teammate Ledley King is emerging as one of the best defenders in the world - and will give Sven-Goran Eriksson a real selection headache.

Spurs striker Defoe has been honing his skills against King in training each week and can't hide his growing admiration for the talented centre-half.

Both players have been included in the England squad to face Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan and Defoe says it is clear that England now have the best selection of defenders anywhere in football.

"If you ask me who is the best defender in the world then it's an interesting one but I'm going to say an English defender, definitely," he said in an exclusive interview with TheFA.com.

"I think Rio Ferdinand is up there. But I always have to talk about Ledley King as well, because playing against him he is so consistent. I know playing against him in training is not the same as matches, but he plays the same every single game. He's strong, his awareness is fantastic and he reads the game so well.

"Against France in Euro 2004 he was brilliant against Thierry Henry, I think Henry didn't really have a chance.

"But there are so many good defenders in England because John Terry has been excellent as well. Those three English defenders are just unbelievable."

England's strikers aren't too bad, either! After all Michael Owen is banging in goals for Real Madrid despite being on the bench and has an unbelievable record at international level.

Wayne Rooney is heading for his best ever goals total at Manchester United, having already notched up 15 this season, while new boy Andy Johnson in the top English goalscorer in the Premiership.

Defoe, though, continues to keep up with his rivals and has scored 22 goals for club and country so far this campaign - not bad for a 22-year-old striker.

Now the Spurs man hopes to become a regular fixture for England.

He said: "It means a lot to me. When you get selected for England you are the chosen ones, you are the ones to represent your country. It means a lot, you feel proud.

"But once you're there it's brilliant. It gives a lift to your game to work with such great players and great people. And training with England you will always improve."