Source: SKY_Sports
Defoe bothered by Owen talk
Jermain Defoe has admitted it can be 'frustrating' to hear Michael Owen's name mentioned when he is trying to concentrate on his own England career.
Defoe has been called up to Fabio Capello's latest squad after an excellent start to the season but it was Owen's omission which received most attention.
Comparisons have often been drawn between the two players but Defoe insists he would prefer not to hear about Owen so much.
"It's like if my name gets mentioned Michael Owen's has got to get mentioned as well. That is sometimes frustrating," said the Tottenham striker.
"Michael Owen is a great player but it is not that if I'm in the squad he's not, or that if he is in the squad, I'm not. It would be nice to get away from it."
Another popular theory is that Defoe and Wayne Rooney cannot play together, with Emile Heskey regularly preferred up front as a foil to the Manchester United man.
Defoe has not scored any of his 10 international goals when Rooney has been on the pitch but he insists they can forge a successful partnership.
He said: "I have played with Wayne a few times now. He is a great player who likes to get a lot of touches on the ball.
"In that sense he is similar to Robbie Keane and my partnership with him is great. I don't mind staying behind a main striker, that's for sure."
