Defoe thought England career was over

Jermain Defoe had doubts that he would ever get another chance to play for England.

But Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate rewarded the Sunderland striker Thursday with a long-overdue phone call.

Related: Defoe earns England call-up ahead of World Cup qualifiers

Defoe, who has 55 international caps to his name, last represented his country in a November 2013 friendly against Chile.

He will now have a chance to play in a March 22 friendly against Germany, and four days later at Wembley against Lithuania.

The 34-year-old Defoe told the club's website: "I thought I would have had a chance last season, finishing (as) the third-highest English goal-scorer behind (Harry) Kane and (Jamie) Vardy. It wasn't meant to be, and then I started to think, 'You know what? Maybe it's just not going to happen.' But I didn't really complain or anything."

Like last season, Defoe has been integral to Sunderland's survival bid. He's fired in 14 Premier League goals so far - accounting for 58 percent of the Black Cats' total - and with 11 matches left, he remains their primary hope of retaining top-flight status.

"I just got my head down and carried on doing what I am doing, managed to score my goals … and I have always said when you keep producing, keep doing well, keep working hard, it can only be a matter of time before you are selected," he said.

The call-up also means Defoe could stand side by side with terminally ill Sunderland supporter and friend, Bradley Lowery, who's been named a mascot for the Lithuania match on March 26.

The two have developed a close relationship, as Bradley, 5, continues to undergo cancer treatment.

"I have always looked forward to playing for England," Defoe continued. "It's the pinnacle, you don't get any higher than that, so it will be a good feeling - even more so because I think Bradley is going to be mascot, so that's going to be special again, and I am just delighted that I am involved."