Spurs boss Martin Jol understands England striker Jermain Defoe’s frustration at not starting enough Premiership matches, and was not surprised by his display of anger at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Defoe is quickly running out of time to seal his place in Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad, and showed his anger as he was once again sitting on the substitutes bench for Spurs’ 3-2 victory over Blackburn.

Spurs boss Martin Jol prefers the strikeforce of Robbie Keane and Mido, and Defoe knows that each time he is not used, the less his chances of making it to the Finals in June.

23-year-old Defoe was hoping to at least see some action in the Premiership clash against Blackburn, and although Defoe was asked to warm up, he never made it onto the pitch.

When it became apparent to Defoe that he was not going to play, the England striker headed down the players tunnel a minute from time, ignoring his manager in the process.

But, rather than seeing the reaction as evidence of dissent, Jol understands Defoe’s hasty exit, and insists it will not affect the relationship between his strikers.

“The game was finished so what do you expect from Jermain? For him to go to the halfway line and have a wave at everybody?” said the Dutchman.

“I don't think it's a matter of showing disappointment when you go in the tunnel after the game, I think it's normal.

“He's scored three goals in the last two home games. He got two against Charlton and had an assist for Robbie against Sunderland.

“But I had a feeling about Robbie before the Blackburn game. Next time Jermain Defoe will probably play.

“Jermain Defoe is a very good player. Robbie is a fine player and I was lucky because I had a feeling to play Robbie.

“Robbie has become a very disciplined player - if I ask him to play in the hole because we need that as a team, he will do it.

“If I want him to play down the right side then he will work his socks off.

“Jermain is different - he will always go for goals. I had Mido up front and he was very dangerous at the set pieces, so I needed him.

“We talk about the situation but not all the time because if you have to explain these things all the time it can be a bit annoying.

“I feel for Jermaine and that's what I tell him. There's no animosity between him and Robbie. They may be angry at times but they never show it,” finished Jol.

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