Former England manager Graham Taylor today defended the Football Association's decision to make a 9,000-mile round trip to play Sunday's friendly international against Trinidad & Tobago.

Critics have questioned the necessity of such a fixture at the end of a gruelling season for many of the England squad, believing political issues are overriding what is important for the team.

FIFA vice-President and Trinidadian ambassador Jack Warner has been openly critical of England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup and it is thought that the decision to play in Port of Spain is designed to help win his support when voting takes place in 2011.

But Taylor, who managed England between 1990 and 1993, claims current boss Fabio Capello will benefit from the experience and was not under any pressure from the FA to fulfil the fixture.

"If by playing it helps the 2018 World Cup bid then so be it but Capello will have been put under no pressure to make the decision," said Taylor.

"Anyway, playing there doesn't necessarily mean that Warner will award his CONCACAF vote to England.

"Capello will instead see it as a valuable opportunity to keep most of the squad together for an extended period.

"The game is secondary to having the players together. What is more important is that you go away together just as you would at a major tournament. He can then learn more about how the players interact."

Taylor also insists the trip will not be a waste of time for the players, although nearly all of those involved in the Champions League Final have not travelled for the match, which will be the last England game shown on the BBC before ITV and Setanta take over the broadcasting rights.

Jermain Defoe is one who could well have the opportunity to stake his claim for a place in Capello's team for that first World Cup qualifier against Andorra on 6 September.

The Portsmouth striker has yet to make a real impact for England. He made his full debut against Sweden in March 2004 but since then has won another 26 caps, scoring just three goals.

Two of those goals were against this autumn's qualifying opponents Andorra in a 5-0 victory in September 2006 while the other was arguably even more important, the only goal in a 1-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Poland in Chorzow back in September 2004.

You would have thought that those goals would have provided the springboard for Defoe, the perfect base on which to build an England career.

It hasn't happened, though. But Defoe is now settled down on the south coast with Portsmouth. Harry Redknapp has complete faith in the 25-year-old striker and Defoe has duly responded by finding his goal touch again.

On Wednesday night, against the United States, he played 67 minutes before being replaced by Peter Crouch, the player who could soon be forging a partnership with Defoe down at Fratton Park. "I feel, sharper, fitter and a whole lot better," said Defoe. "I enjoyed the [USA] game a lot. The manager said to try and get behind their defence and I thought I was unlucky not to score.

"I'm hoping now I will get another chance soon."

That opportunity may arrive on Sunday and Defoe is not the only one who is desperate to impress. Wayne Rooney - who Capello wants to calm down a little bit more during matches - will be missing, giving Dean Ashton the opportunity to finally make his debut.

Ashley Young has also been a model of consistency for Aston Villa and would provide some pace on the flank.

Likewise, Young's Villa team-mate Gabriel Agbonlahor should be given a chance to show what he can do.

They will benefit from a run-out and the FA, like Capello and Taylor, believe their trip is not a waste of time and that they were invited to play in the match to mark the Trinidad Football Federation centenary and did not seek out a fixture for political gain.

Director of communications Adrian Bevington said: "Jack Warner is an influential voice as vice-President of FIFA but we were invited to go out there - there is a lot of history between the countries and if it helps the bid, then great.

"England will finish their season on Sunday night - a week before the start of Euro 2008. That means that come August, England will have fresher players than any other major European country. That's worth remembering."