Defoe desperate for Cup success
Jermain Defoe is desperate to make up for lost time in the FA Cup after missing out on what might have been one of the biggest days of his career.
The Sunderland striker is in line to make his second appearance for the Black Cats in their fourth-round tie against Fulham at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Defoe, 32, reached the semi-finals of the competition during his time at former club Tottenham, but was cup-tied when Portsmouth went all the way and was a spectator as they beat Cardiff in the 2008 final.
He said: "I was gutted, it was really hard, to be honest. I still lifted the trophy, though I was in my suit when I lifted it.
"It was really hard. I was happy for the boys, for the team - I was a part of it, even though I didn't play because I was cup-tied.
"But the whole day was special and obviously you want many more of those days, so I'll look forward to this game this weekend. Hopefully we can win and progress."
Defoe has prospered in the FA Cup on a personal basis over the years having scored 22 goals in 35 appearances in the competition, and that is a run he would dearly like to extend this weekend if, as expected, he is handed a home debut for Sunderland.
He failed to maintain his record of scoring on his bow for a new club in the Barclays Premier League in a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham last weekend, but head coach Gus Poyet is expecting big things from a man he knows well after playing alongside him and then coaching him during their time together at White Hart Lane.
The league may be the overriding priority with the Black Cats currently only a point above the drop zone, but last season's run to the Capital One Cup final galvanised Wearside and Poyet will hope the competition can help to breed the winning mentality his side will need to prevent them from being sucked into another survival fight.
However, for Defoe, the cup tie is a chance to renew his acquaintance with a competition in which he has not played since the 2011-12 season.
He said: "I have always enjoyed playing in FA Cup games. It's a special competition, one of the best competitions in the world, and everyone is looking forward to it.
"Obviously, it's been a long time for me since I played in the FA Cup, so I am looking forward to it. It's a big game, at home. It's important that we approach it like any other game and try to win."
Scott Parker is a doubt for Fulham after going off during Wednesday night's 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.
Boss Kit Symons insisted Parker had suffered "just a knock", but he may well have opted to rest his 34-year-old captain for the tie anyway following a hectic run of fixtures.
Fellow midfielder Lasse Vigen Christensen is set to miss out again with a hamstring injury and defender Sean Kavanagh is doubtful with a knee problem.
Full-backs Fernando Amorebieta (knee) and Tim Hoogland (hernia) have stepped up their recoveries and been pencilled in for returns some time in February.
Source: PA
