Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp thinks England are suffering from a severe striker shortage ahead of this summer's European Championship.
But the 65-year-old, overwhelming favourite to take over the manager's role with the national team, reckons he could have the answer to the country's problems in Jermain Defoe, despite the 13-goal forward being ignored in favour of the uncapped Fraizer Campbell in interim boss Stuart Pearce's squad for the friendly with Holland.
Redknapp said: "I am sure he (Defoe) could (make the squad). There is a shortage of strikers if you look at England now, it's certainly a problem position. Darren Bent is out for the season, so suddenly you look at that and you think he (Defoe) has every chance of going."
Defoe will have a chance to push his claims of an England recall tonight when he takes to the field for Spurs in their FA Cup fifth-round replay against Stevenage at White Hart Lane.
His manager has called on the former West Ham man to grasp the opportunity with both hands.
"Jermain will play," Redknapp said.
"I hope he makes it for the Euros but at the moment, he has to take his opportunity when he has them for Tottenham. He has been disappointed not to play but Louis Saha has come in and has done well.
"He (Saha) has scored goals so it has been a difficult one. I have four front men - Saha, Defoe, (Rafael) Van der Vaart and Adebayor so there are always going to be two top players left out but that's life."
Redknapp will field a strong team for the game against the npower League One club, who earned a replay following a 0-0 draw at the Lamex Stadium last month.
Scott Parker and Gareth Bale are likely to start after missing Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Manchester United and William Gallas could also make an appearance after sitting out the last two months with a calf strain."
Source: PA
