Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe feels he is ready to hit the ground running with the new season just days away.
The England international saw his campaign hindered by injuries which his confidence taking a knockout blow as evident by his return of just four Premiership goals.
Defoe feels the World Cup and a lack of pre-season was to blame for his lacklustre performances but he admits to feeling sharp ahead of Spurs’ game against Everton.
“It was the first season where I’ve had injuries and it’s been so up and down,” Defoe told the club’s official website.
“It was really stop-start and I couldn’t get going, couldn’t get into the rhythm that I normally get into. That’s why I’m looking forward to this season and to get off to a good start.
“I always feel sharp in pre-season because the work we do is hard anyway. I always put the effort in.
“Even before the start of the season I was away in the South of France for 10 days, working hard before we came back.”
The 28-year-old was on target during Spurs’ 2-1 win over Atletic Bilbao last weekend and is eagerly anticipating the game against Everton on Saturday.
“In the game at the weekend against Bilbao I felt really sharp and to be honest, that’s the sharpest I’ve felt for a long time,” he added.
“I remember the season before last when we went to China and played West Ham and Hull, I felt sharp in that pre-season but last season I didn’t really get much of a pre-season because of the World Cup.
“It was important for me to get a good pre-season this time around, to get five or six weeks to prepare, I’ve done that and now I’m ready.”
