Defoe ready to play again following brother''s death
LONDON (Reuters) - England striker Jermain Defoe spoke on Friday about the pain he felt following the death of his half-brother Jade last week then said he was ready to start playing for Tottenham Hotspur again.
Jade died last Friday aged 26 after suffering serious head injuries when he was attacked in east London on April 20.
Defoe, also 26, was left out of the Spurs squad for their Premier League match at Manchester United the next day but is likely to return for Saturday''s game against West Bromwich Albion at White Hart Lane.
He told Tottenham''s website (www.tottenhamhotpsur.com): "My mum turned up at the training ground and because I''m so close to my mum and my family, I knew instantly something was wrong.
"She didn''t have to say a word, I knew...I went straight to the hospital. It wasn''t a nice experience but it was one I''ll never forget.
"When things like that happen it puts everything else into perspective," he said.
"My brother will always be in my thoughts and in my heart and I''m sure this will make me stronger and appreciate everything in life."
Defoe returned to Spurs in January after a year with Portsmouth and scored three goals in five appearances before being sidelined for 10 weeks with a foot injury.
He returned as a late substitute in Spurs'' 1-0 win over Newcastle United on April 19 before missing last week''s 5-2 loss at Old Trafford.
"I''m ready," he said. "If I manage to start it would be great but I just want to get out there and do my stuff.