Source: Bournemouth_Echo
World Cup: Cherries' Fletcher backing old mate Defoe to shine
Cherries legend Steve Fletcher is backing Jermain Defoe to be a big player for England and he is desperate to see his old strike partner get an opportunity on the world stage. Fletcher played alongside Defoe during the frontman's prolific loan spell with Cherries in 2000-01, which saw him hit 19 goals in 31 games. The Tottenham Hotspur striker, then a West Ham United player, carved his name in British football history by scoring in 10 consecutive league matches for Cherries. Fletcher admits he learned a lot from the Londoner and always felt he could go on to forge a successful career at the top level. The Spurs star, who has netted 11 times in 40 internationals, is an outsider to start alongside Wayne Rooney when England get their campaign under way against USA this evening (7.30pm). But Fletcher is hoping the natural goalscorer is given a chance. Whether he starts or whether he doesn't, I think he's going to be a big player for England, insisted Cherries' record appearance-maker. Jermain has been one of the best strikers in the Premier League for the past few seasons. He gets all types of goals and maybe the World Cup stage is set for someone like Jermain, like it was for Michael Owen a few World Cups ago. I think he's fulfilled his potential and more, and I just hope he gets his opportunity in the World Cup and proves his quality on the world stage. Looking back at Defoe's popular spell at Dean Court, Fletcher says the former Pompey man scored goals in training that he has not seen matched during his 21 years in the game. He still has fond memories of partnering Defoe, who he described as a joy to play with. All I did was flick on the ball and he would do the rest, joked Fletcher. He's the type of lad who doesn't forget where he first started and that's a great character to have. Defoe is one of three frontmen battling for the chance to partner Rooney. Club-mate Peter Crouch and Aston Villa's Emile Heskey are the other men in the frame.