England reckoning beckons again for Defoe

MANCHESTER, England, Sep 3 (Reuters) Striker Jermain Defoe stands to become an England regular after his last two performances, according to manager Steve McClaren.

A fringe player under former coach Sven-Goran Eriksson and passed over for the World Cup, Defoe has gone straight into the starting lineup under McClaren in the absence of the injured Michael Owen and suspended Wayne Rooney.

Responding to McClaren's act of faith Defoe helped England to a 4-0 friendly win over European champions Greece and scored twice yesterday's 5-0 Euro 2008 qualifying rout of Andorra.

''A striker's confidence becomes more apparent with goals, but also if you have faith and trust in them from the coaching staff and the manager,'' McClaren said. ''And I've always had that in Jermain.'' Detecting a change in the 23-year-old Tottenham Hotspur forward over the last three weeks, McClaren told reporters: ''He's always been bright and he knows I've admired him.

''But since he's come back in the last couple of games, he looks brighter, fresher and more confident. He deserved his goals and is playing well for the team.'' OWN HANDS Defoe has almost certainly done enough to start alongside Peter Crouch against Macedonia in England's next Group E qualifier in Skopje on Wednesday.

The challenge will be to stay in the team when Rooney returns for next month's games against Macedonia and Croatia and Owen gets back next year after a long-term knee problem.

McClaren made it clear that Defoe's future is in his own hands and that his place in the side is there for him to keep -- provided he keeps performing for club and country.

''He's a permanent fixture at present in the squad but no one can count on having the shirt all the time,'' said McClaren.

''They have to work hard in between and show form for their clubs, and when they come here they have to perform well and be available when asked to make an impact.

''We're building a squad and I've said to the players they're in the squad at the moment and it's up to them whether they stay in or not with their performances.'' McClaren certainly believes Defoe did enough on Saturday to justify being given his chance against Andorra.

''He deserved it because of his performance against Greece.

It wasn't a case of having to do that to boost his confidence...

He deserved his chance again and he's taken it.'' REUTERS PM RS1743