The Spurs captain will definitely miss tomorrow’s trip to Portsmouth due to a groin injury, so Anthony Gardner is expected to continue his partnership with Michael Dawson in central defence. Gardner was fortunate to make a return to the starting line-up for three games in the Peace Cup after Dawson broke his nose in the competition's opening game. He missed a lot of last season with a foot injury which he has battled against during pre-season, but his run in the side in friendlies suggest he’s made a full recovery.
"I am hoping my fitness will be right up to scratch come the first game," Gardner confirmed.
England are in preparations for next months World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Northern Ireland. With Michael Owen suspended for one of those games, Eriksson will give Defoe his chance, starting in Wednesday night’s encounter with the Danes.
"It's a good opportunity for him to show that he's the right man to start against Wales. He could be a little bit more involved in games, perhaps but he's young and you can't expect him to be perfect in everything at that age, it's impossible," said Eriksson.