Defoe earns England call-up ahead of World Cup qualifiers
Jermain Defoe will have a chance to feature for his country in a competitive match for the first time in over three years after England manager Gareth Southgate named the 34-year-old to his 26-man squad.
Thanks to everyone for your messages! Playing for @England has been my dream since day one so to be back in the squad is so special for me.
— Jermain Defoe (@IAmJermainDefoe) March 16, 2017
A spot opened up for the Sunderland forward ahead of England's friendly against Germany on March 22 and a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania four days later with the absences of Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane.
The Sunderland forward's insertion back into the national team follows a successful return to England after a spell in Canada with Major League Soccer side Toronto FC as the former Tottenham talisman is on pace to lead the team in scoring for the second straight season.
Defoe hasn't played for England since friendly v Chile in Nov 2013. Left for Toronto 2 months later & forgotten about by England. Until now.
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) March 16, 2017
Michael Keane, Jake Livermore, James Ward-Prowse, and Nathan Redmond were also named to the team, while Manchester United defender Luke Shaw proved that 70 minutes of Premier League action since October is good enough for a call-up.
Interestingly, Southgate revealed that Rooney was not necessarily excluded from the team due to an injury as he predicts that - despite being ruled out of Thursday's Europa League tie with a knee problem - the United captain will be available for Sunday's match against Middlesbrough.
The full squad is as follows:
Here it is – the #ThreeLions squad for this month's games against 🇩🇪 and 🇱🇹! pic.twitter.com/CpSFOmRwyQ
— England (@England) March 16, 2017
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Torino on loan from Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)
Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United) John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham), Michael Keane (Burnley)
Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham), Ross Barkley (Everton), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Eric Dier (Tottenham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Jake Livermore (West Bromwich Albion), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Nathan Redmond (Southampton), Michail Antonio (West Ham), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)
Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Sunderland), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)