Defoe grateful for support

England striker Jermain Defoe has expressed his gratitude for the messages of support he has received following the death of his father.

Defoe returned to England from Euro 2012 duty on Thursday morning after being informed his father Jimmy had lost his long battle against cancer. Although the Football Association have confirmed the Tottenham striker will be returning at some point, it is too early to say whether Defoe will be back in time for the Group D opener against France on Monday.

"I want to thank the fans, my family and friends, the England boys, the FA and the manager for their support," he said on Twitter.

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