Defoe was overlooked in favour of younger players, such as Danny Welbeck, Daniel Strurridge and the uncapped Frazier Campbell, all of whom Pearce has managed at under-21 level.
The form of summer arrival Emmanuel Adebayor from Manchester City has restricted Defoe to just eight Premier League starts for Tottenham Hotspur this season - potentially a key factor behind his omission.
But Defoe believes his ‘brilliant’ record for his country will be enough to force himself into the squad for the championships in Poland and Ukraine.
"My record for England is brilliant," said Defoe, as reported by The Independent.
“I’ve proved it in a major tournament, and if I'm chosen for the summer, I know I'll perform.
"I know that if I go in the summer, I can score goals at that level. That's what I've said. I am an honest person and it is difficult [to be left out]."
"Stuart Pearce phoned me and said that senior players would not be in the squad and that he would pick players from the under-21 squad, because it was the last opportunity for whoever the new manager is to have a look at them.
"In so many words, it sounded like he knows what I can do already."
