WORLD CUP IS CARROT FOR DEFOE

JERMAIN DEFOE reckons becoming a vegan can help feed his hunger for goals – and fire him to an England World Cup place.

Bournemouth striker Defoe (above) goes gunning for Liverpool tomorrow having adopted the animal-free diet to help extend his Premier League and international career.

The 35-year-old former Tottenham, Sunderland and West Ham ace said: “My girlfriend is a dedicated vegan and seeing what she was doing inspired me.

“I started reading up on the subject and discovered the benefits it could have for me.

“One of the big things for me over the past few years has been thinking of ways I can carry on playing for as long as possible.

“Cutting certain things out of my diet made sense to me. Why continue eating foods my body doesn’t really need?

“A number of players have asked me about my veganism, so I definitely think there’s a curiosity within football and beyond about it.

“I’ve always felt good and never really thought about the age thing. The hunger has never gone. I still love training every day and get the same buzz every Saturday morning. I cannot eat then because I am so excited.”

Defoe missed out on the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 and is determined not to be overlooked again in Russia next summer.

He added: “In a World Cup year you always want to play well for your club. My dream is always to play in major tournaments.”