I've never been so excited about a season, says Defoe

Jermain Defoe believes he has matured as a player in the short time he has been at Tottenham Hotspur.

The 21-year-old striker has scored three goals in five Premiership matches for Spurs this season and was also on target on his full debut for England last week. Defoe arrived at White Hart Lane from West Ham only a matter of months ago, but his impact has been huge and Defoe feels he is reaping the benefits of the switch.

"I think I have grown as a player and it helps when you are playing with good players as well," said Defoe, who was denied by a post and a goal-line clearance in Sunday's goalless draw with Norwich at home.

"I was here for the second half of last season and in that time all you want to do is play well, get to know everyone and get the crowd on your side. It's been a good start for me and I'm really enjoying my football at the moment. All I can do is look forward to the next game and score as many goals as I can.

"As a forward there is nothing better than scoring goals and at the minute it is going well for me. When you are out there and doing it it's all very instinctive."

As well as being an instant hit with the Spurs fans, Defoe has quickly become an England hero, his goal helping Sven Goran Eriksson's side secure an important victory in their World Cup qualifier in Poland last week.

"It's all good experience for me to join up with the England lads and these are the games everyone wants to be involved in, World Cup qualifiers," said Defoe, who may be dropped from the starting line-up when Wayne Rooney returns to fitness to partner Michael Owen. "To be training and playing alongside the best players in the country is like a dream come true and I'm really enjoying being involved.

"This is a massive campaign for me. It's my first full season here at Spurs and we've started really well and I'm getting selected for the England squad. I don't think I've ever been this excited about a season before, it's great."

Had Tottenham beaten Norwich on Sunday they would have risen to third place in the table, but the blank scoreline was a reality check for any of their fans who were carried away by the bright start to the season.

The England trio of Paul Robinson, Ledley King and Defoe were a class act for their club as they had been for their country in midweek, but Jacques Santini's men must beat teams like Norwich if they are to be considered as genuine challengers for a Uefa Cup place.

The real test for Spurs comes in their next two matches, away at Chelsea then home to Manchester United, and Santini is hoping that the week ahead will give his players the chance to recover from the recent international break, unlike their opponents.

"I had a lot of players away on international duty and maybe they were a little tired after 75 minutes against Norwich," said the Frenchman. "At least we have a week ahead with only good training sessions, whereas the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea have Champions' League football."