David Moyes has warned Sunderland they cannot rely on Jermain Defoe's World Cup dreams to get them out of Premier League relegation trouble.
The 34-year-old striker marked his return to the international stage after almost three-and-a-half years in the wilderness with a goal in England's 2-0 qualifier victory over Lithuania on Sunday, and immediately set his sights on forcing his way into Gareth Southgate's plans for the 2018 finals in Russia.
That added incentive to keep producing his top form can only work in the Black Cats' favour, but as they attempt to haul themselves off the foot of the table at Watford on Saturday - in the midst of a fifth-successful survival mission - Moyes knows even his 14-goal hitman cannot do it by himself.
He said: "We need other people in top form as well, so it's not just about Jermain, it's about the rest of the players as well. They have got to produce and they have got to perform as well.
"We need Jermain's goals, but we need people to help him score those goals and we need people to help create those goals.
"I'm only interested in Sunderland staying up, I have got no thoughts about the World Cup or anything like that at this moment in time."
Defoe revealed - after his heroics for his country - that the regime which has seen him maintain his form well into his 30s has even included a vegan diet.
Moyes said: "I'm not sure it's for everybody and there might be nutritionists out there who tell us it's the wrong thing, but I'm sure there are others who would say it's definitely the correct thing.
"But you know, if it makes him feel good, if it makes him feel confident, then so be it."
The Scot, however, was less than forthcoming when asked about a clause in Defoe's contract which will allow him to leave Sunderland for nothing in the event of relegation.
He said: "The only thing I can clear up is we are not down and we are not planning to go down, we are planning to stay up."
Sunderland's chances of securing their top-flight status may be significantly clearer in a week or so with the Watford game being followed by a potentially pivotal trip to Hull before Manchester United head for the Stadium of Light.
Moyes, who hopes to have defenders John O'Shea and Lamine Kone fit for the visit to Vicarage Road, said: "We have got a big week now, three games this week coming up, so we have to look to take points.
"We took one against Burnley - I felt as if we had to take three from that game, so somewhere along the line, I am going to have to win a game which I hadn't really had in my head would have to be done."
Source: PA
