Spurs strikeforce gets Jol drooling

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Tottenham boss Martin Jol ranks Jermain Defoe alongside Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane as the most exciting players he has worked with.Berbatov and Keane were paired for the bigger games last season and Darren Bent's arrival has led to uncertainty over Defoe's place in the pecking order, but he is expected to return to Spurs for pre-season training next week.

Portsmouth are interested in Defoe but the 24-year-old England striker is believed to be relishing the competition for places at White Hart Lane, as he did last season when he scored 18 goals.

Defoe actually started more Premier League games than Keane in the last campaign, and Jol could not separate last season's strikers when asked in official club magazine "Hotspur" for the most exciting player he has worked with.

Jol said: "I would have to say Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe. I can't choose between them so I'd have to say all three are exciting."

The Dutchman has also been working with new £16.5million signing Bent in pre-season training this week, with players who have been on international duty being set a later return date.

Jol's four strikers are expected to lead a challenge to break into the Champions League places but Pompey boss Harry Redknapp admits he would welcome Defoe at Fratton Park if the situation changes.

Redknapp is also interested in former Spurs striker Fredi Kanoute, who is in Spain with Sevilla.

"I've love Defoe or Kanoute," said Redknapp on Sky Sports News. "Defoe is a fantastic player in my opinion.

"He needs to play. Spurs are so strong up front. Robbie Keane is a magnificent players, there is Berbatov and they took Bent.

"I gave Jermain his debut at West Ham and I know the kid - he loves playing football and loves scoring goals. He needs to play somewhere."

source: eurosport.com

It's definitely a group of strikers to be proud of. I wish we'd do more with the left side of mid and possibly another defender but at least we strengthened the defence a bit with Bale.