Defoe returns home after his father passes away

Tottenham striker returns home after his father passes away on Wednesday night; will rejoin team in 'due course'

England striker Jermain Defoe has flown home from the squad’s Euro 2012 training camp in Krakow following the death of his father, the Football Association confirmed yesterday.

Tottenham star Defoe, who only touched down in Poland with his England teammates on Wednesday, will rejoin the squad at an unspecified date, the FA said in a brief statement. “

Grieving: England striker Jermain Defoe. Pic/Getty images

England striker Jermain Defoe has returned home to England this morning following the passing of his father overnight,” the FA said. “Jermain will re-join the England Euro squad in due course. There will be no replacement player called in.
“We would ask all media to respect Jermain and his family’s privacy at this difficult time.”

Defoe is regarded as England’s reserve striker, with Danny Welbeck and Andy Carroll vying for a starting berth against France next Monday in Group D in the absence of the suspended Wayne Rooney.

Tottenham have released their own statement on their official website, also passing on their condolences: “Everyone at the club sends their sincere condolences to Jermain and his family.” The 29-year-old has won 47 senior caps, scoring 15 goals, but is yet to appear in a European Championship.

He did feature as part of the Three Lions’ 2010 World Cup squad in South Africa, scoring the only goal of the game against Slovenia to secure England’s progression to the knockout round.

Defoe played 23 minutes as a substitute in England’s final pre-Euro 2012 friendly against Belgium at Wembley on Saturday. — u00a0

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