Arsenal legend Ian Wright is backing Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe to light up next year's World Cup with England.
Wright has been working on-one-on with Defoe and in his column for The Sun wrote: "Jermain Defoe can go to the World Cup finals next year and win the Golden Shoe for the tournament's top scorer.
"That's how good he is. I believe he has the ability to become as prolific for England as Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Michael Owen were.
"But as far as tomorrow's match against Croatia goes, Defoe should start on the bench and come on to score again. The immediate task is to qualify for the World Cup and right now Wayne Rooney's partnership with Emile Heskey is working brilliantly.
"There is no rush to get Defoe into the starting line-up because every time he comes on and scores his reputation soars. But it's only a matter of time before Jermain is in Fabio Capello's team from the kick-off.
"And when he makes that breakthrough I expect him to stay there right through to South Africa and beyond."
