Jermain Defoe still has a chance of playing in the World Cup this summer despite his move to MLS outfit Toronto FC, says Roy Hodgson.
The Tottenham Hotspur striker is set to leave White Hart Lane at the end of the month and start a new career in Canada, where he has signed a four year deal with Ryan Nelsen's side.
Defoe, 31, hasn’t been a regular starter for Spurs this season but has remained in Hodgson’s England squad due to his reliability and experience.
Defoe is leaving Spurs for the MLS
And Three Lions boss Hodgson believes Defoe can still make an impact in Brazil and will be keeping a close eye on his form in the MLS over the rest of the season.
"He will be playing but he will be playing in a league a long way from the top league over here, but that won't change anything as far as I am concerned," said Hodgson.
"I know him and what he can do and I will pick him on those merits, and if he doesn't get picked it will be because on this occasion, there wasn't space so I preferred others.
"But if I do pick him, it won't be because he wasn't playing at Spurs and now he is at Toronto because I don't know that.
"When he comes with an England team, I know what I get from him because he is a very, very reliable player and he has been a wonderful servant in the time I have been with England."
