Defoe refusing to rush recovery

Published Mar. 26, 2010 4:41 a.m. ET

foxsports

Defoe has been missing since the win over Blackburn earlier in March after picking up the hamstring problem during a training session. There were initial fears the striker could be out for the remainder of the season as Spurs push for a top-four place. But the former Portsmouth star could feature in the clash with his former club at White Hart Lane on Saturday - rating his chances as "50-50" after aiding his recuperation with the technology. Defoe said he feels ready to return, although he admitted that manager Harry Redknapp had warned him not to rush back to first team action for the fear of missing the club's remaining eight games, which will decide their Champions League fate. Writing in his column for the Daily Mirror, the 26-goal front man said: "I spent Wednesday doing weight and strengthening exercises, and to be honest, my hamstring feels fine. It doesn't feel as though I have a tear in my muscle. "I speak to manager Harry Redknapp every day. He asks about my progress and he's always telling me to be careful because there are important games coming up. "Both he and I share the opinion that even though it might feel fine we want to give it as long as it needs. So it's just 50-50 whether I play on Saturday. "I don't want to come back half-fit, injure it further and put myself out for even longer."