CHERRIES striker Jermain Defoe praised the bond created throughout the England set-up by Gareth Southgate.

The 35-year-old frontman, who was recalled by the Three Lions boss in 2017 after more than three years away from international football, insisted the national manager was the “perfect fit” to lead the side.

Defoe made his international debut in the same squad as Southgate under Sven-Göran Eriksson during a 1-0 defeat to Sweden 14 years ago.

And he believes the unity of the current England crop is far stronger than that of the squad in 2004.

He told Sky Sports: “When I first came into the squad, there were cliques.

“I would just sit with my friends. Not for any particular reason, that is just how it was. There were the Manchester United boys and the Chelsea boys. They were competing at club level and when they came away with England they could not get that bond that the guys have got now.

“Gareth saw all of it and that’s why it is so good that he is the manager.

“He is the perfect fit because he knows a lot of players from the under-21s too. There is a different vibe now. It is just banter all the time. It is a group of boys just messing about but in a good way because there is no pressure on them. It is a completely different atmosphere.”

Capped 57 times by his country, Defoe has yet to represent England since his free transfer to Cherries from Sunderland last summer.

His most recent appearance came as a substitute against Scotland in a World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park 12 months ago – the same contest in which Cherries winger Ryan Fraser made his international debut for the hosts.

Despite not being selected for Russia 2018, the former Tottenham star admitted he struggled not to get excited by the tournament.

“People say that we shouldn’t get carried away but it’s hard not to,” added the Cherries ace.

“If I were one of those players I would be buzzing. It’s the World Cup so it’s normal to get excited.”