"The manager has said I can leave if I want," Defoe told The Sun just hours before the North London derby with Arsenal in the first-leg of the Carling Cup semis.

"At first I thought it was a joke," a shocked Defoe added. "I thought he was going to say I would be starting against Arsenal."

Despite being in top form, Defoe struggles to find a place in the starting 11 of the Spanish coach.

The 25-year-old netted five times in has last seven games despite starting just twice.

And the White Hart Lane favorite stresses he doesn’t want to leave the club He 'loves'.

"I have no intentions to leave the club because I love it here," said Defoe, whose contract runs out after 18 months.

"I would love to sign a new contract and I know people at the top of the club want me to stay."