Portsmouth goalkeeper David James has revealed his surprise that Tottenham Hotspur allowed a player of the quality of Jermain Defoe to leave White Hart Lane.

Defoe will make a swift return to his former club with Pompey on Saturday, having found the net six times in as many games since his arrival during the January transfer window.

"Jermain does the same thing all the time," he told the Portsmouth News.

"Why Tottenham didn't think it would work for them is beyond me.

"I've played against him enough so I know. For the size of him he is capable of turning the biggest centre-half. He can create something from nothing.

"I don't think he has anything to prove against Spurs. He'll just do what he normally does. I'm sure that is going to result in goals."