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Jermain Defoe fears he could be forced to quit Tottenham if he is facing another season on the bench.

Spurs remain keen on Internacional marksman Leandro Damiao, whose six goals in just four starts helped Brazil to a silver medal in the Olympics.

They are also still trying to strike a permanent deal for Manchester City frontman Emmanuel Adebayor.

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Defoe, coveted by Sunderland, Reading and QPR, told the Mirror: “Everyone knows how much I love Tottenham. Everybody knows that they are the club I want to play for.

“But last season was heartbreaking for me in terms of putting my body on the line, being prepared to give everything for the club and not getting a game.”

Last summer, while other players were on holiday, Defoe put himself through a gruelling training camp in France to be in top shape in European Championship year - only to see himself sidelined under Harry Redknapp. He still went on to end the campaign with 17 goals.

Tottenham have also yet to approach Defoe about a new deal with just two years left on his current contract.

Defoe added: “Obviously I have to think seriously about my future. I will talk to the club and see what happens but right now all I want to do is what is best for Tottenham.”

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill is a huge fan of the striker and has been tracking his situation all summer.

(Image: Matthew Lewis)

Defoe showed his total focus with the winning goal in Spurs' friendly at Watford two weeks ago, despite a summer of personal tragedy that has seen him lose his father and a cousin.

Spurs are unlikely to do any business with any club over Defoe until they have drafted in reinforcements up front.

But Internacional president Giovanni Luigi has warned Damiao will not go cheap as he is just 23 and has four years left on his current deal.

Spurs are convinced the in-form hitman will go for far less although Luigi said: “I think it’s very hard for the transfer to happen unless Tottenham pay the 60million euros (£47m) buyout fee that is included in his contract.

(Image: Julian Finney)

“Leandro Damiao has four more years on his contract. He is a very well paid player and has nothing to complain about.

“And we don’t need to sell. We are a rich club with an enviable structure.”