Defoe relief after Brazil scare

31 May 2013 19:47

Jermain Defoe has never felt more relieved in his life than he did when he heard that England's game against Brazil on Sunday will go ahead.

The England team, and the thousands of fans who have made the trip to South America, arrived in Brazil on Thursday to the shock news that the glamour friendly in the most famous stadium in the Maracana had been suspended. Safety fears led to Judge Adriana Costa dos Santos applying for an injunction to suspend the fixture.

Defoe was delighted to hear that the decision was overturned despite the fact that building work is still going in around the venue, which has cost £300million to revamp. "I was at dinner last night when I heard (the game was suspended) and I said 'please don't let the game be off'," the Tottenham striker said.

"I am so happy the game is on now. It's something you think about as a kid - wanting to play for England against Brazil so to actually come here and play in the stadium will be fantastic."

Defoe's determination to play in the most iconic stadium in the world even means he is willing to risk damaging his Achilles heel to do so. The Tottenham forward has been troubled by the injury during a stuttering final third of the most recent campaign.

He added: "It's something I have had for the last few months, but you get treatment for it and this is one of those games that you wouldn't miss for the world. Even if I was on crutches I would try and get out there."

The fact that Defoe has declared himself fit and able to play on Sunday will be welcome news for England manager Roy Hodgson, who has lost Andy Carroll and Daniel Sturridge to injury while Danny Welbeck is also carrying a knee problem.

After a tiring, and ultimately disappointing season, Defoe would be forgiven for starting planning for his summer holidays right now. The 30-year-old will instead spend part of his summer undergoing a brutal training regime in France with fitness guru Tiberius Darau.

Defoe was so determined to make England's Euro 2012 squad that he wrote off part of close season two years ago to join up with Darau on the advice of Ian Wright.

"I think it is something I will do (this summer)," said Defoe earlier this week. "I have never trained so hard in my life as I did when I was there."

Source: PA