Rowell Report: Let's hope Sunderland's Jermain Defoe comes back unscathed from England duty

However, with Sunderland’s injury record this season, it would be typical if we lost Sunderland’s best hope while not even on Sunderland duty, and for that reason I would be happy to see him warming the bench for both international games.

I have been just as impressed with his attitude and his obvious affection for the club as I have the goals he has scored as in his early days he was often left out or played out of position yet just got on with the job and never complained.

I remember one game away at Arsenal where he was given a wider role than he would have wished for and with the Gunners pressure he ended up just in front of the full back – what a waste.

With a regular strike partner with power and size you would get even more from him.

Unfortunately, aside from the injured Victor Anichebe, Sunderland haven’t got any other player of that type.