LIONS SNUB HURT DEFOE

JERMAIN DEFOE has admitted to being “frustrated” at flying out to Lithuania with England – only to sit on the bench.

The 35-year-old Bournemouth striker (above) scored in the Three Lions’ World Cup qualifying win over Lithuania at Wembley in March.

But he remained a spectator as Gareth Southgate’s side struggled to an unconvincing 1-0 win in their final Group F match earlier this month.

As a result, Eddie Howe made Defoe (above) a late substitute in the Cherries’ 1-0 defeat to Tottenham.

Defoe said: “Maybe I thought I would get some minutes in the Lithuania game. Especially against a team I’ve played against before.

“I was disappointed but it was all right. I was frustrated but it’s all right. The main thing was to qualify.

“I was happy for the boys because, for a lot of them, it will be their first tournament.

“I guess it doesn’t matter how you do it, qualifying is the main thing.”