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| Jermain Defoe scored five goals in the opening month of the season but looks set to be used out wide |
JERMAIN Defoe's hopes of becoming the central figure in Dick Advocaat's new-look Sunderland side have been dashed.
The England striker scored five goals in the opening month of the season despite playing out wide.
But that has not persuaded Advocaat to build his attack around Defoe, with new signing Fabio Borini set to get the nod as the main man against Spurs on Sunday.
And the 32-year-old will once again have to be satisfied with a role on the left against his former club in the 4-3-3 formation the Black Cats' chief prefers.
Sunderland played a behind-closed-doors friendly against Hartlepool with their £7.75m buy from Liverpool through the middle.
And Advocaat made it clear his mind is made up as far as Defoe is concerned.
He said: "As a striker, Jermain can't do it on his own upfront. Maybe in a two but not on his own."
The Dutchman could play as many as five of his summer signings this weekend including former Spurs defender Younes Kaboul, but on-loan full-back Deanore Yedlin is ineligible against his parent club.
Sunderland are looking for their first league win of the season in their bid to haul themselves off the foot of the table.
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