Above: Jermain Defoe hopes to claim his place in the england Euro 2012 squad

JERMAIN DEFOE can nick Darren Bent’s England spot for Euro 2012 – even though he can’t get in the Tottenham side.

So says Spurs assistant boss Joe Jordan, who believes Defoe (below), who believes Defoe (below), who has started just four Premier League games this  term, is is a better bet for England than White Hart Lane old boy Bent.

Bent was flogged to Sunderland two years ago for £10m after a return of 18 goals in 60 appearances.

He has since made a big money move to Aston Villa, and he makes his first return to White Hart Lane since his £18m switch. But Jordan would rather have Defoe on his bench than Bent, who he claims could still miss out on a start for the Euro 2012 group games – even in the absence of the banned Wayne Rooney.

Asked if Bent has his England spot nailed down, Jordan said: “I wouldn’t say that, because he has to prove between now and then that you are still the player.

“I think Jermain Defoe can do that. Whatever forwards you are talking about come the end of the season, they might not be in the picture now for the England camp.

“But you have to make a run. There will be few players selected who do not show form between now and then. You have to earn the right to be in the tournament and you have to earn the right to be in the team.”

Jordan has told Defoe not to give up hope of ousting Emmanuel Adebayor from the Spurs starting line-up, adding:
“Jermain is not starting at the moment as much as he would like.