DEFOE: ROO AND ME ARE FUTURE

Tottenham's new England forward Jermain Defoe reckons that himself and Wayne Rooney will be a future striking partnership at international level.

Defoe made his England bow against Sweden recently when he came on as a substitute and he did well enough to prompt suggestions that he could gatecrash Sven Goran Eriksson's Euro 2004 squad.

However, even if he doesn't make the plane to Portugal, the Spurs £7 million hitman enjoyed playing alongside Rooney and can't wait to do so again.

"Considering it was the first time we had played together we were on the same wavelength," he said.

"In years to come it would be great to play alongside him for England."

That's a prospect that would doubtless have the England fans drooling and Defoe has seen enough in training to know that they would go well together.

"You only realise how good someone is when you've trained with them or played alongside them," he said.

"I've realised how good Robbie Keane is since moving to Tottenham and it's the same with Wayne on England duty."

Defoe has taken the Premiership by storm since moving to White Hart Lane from West Ham United and since joining the top-flight ranks he has increased his appreciation of Rooney's unique talents.

"It can be difficult when you first break into the Premiership and not many young players could have had the impact that Wayne has had," said the 21-year old.

"There is so much pressure in the Premiership, so much pace and all the players are athletes and he has done well to cope with it all."