Report: Defoe expected to make 1st England start since 2013

Four years after his last start for England, veteran Jermain Defoe is set to revive his international career.

The 34-year-old striker is expected to play from the opening whistle in Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Lithuania, according to the Guardian's Dominic Fifield. It would be his first start for the Three Lions since a March 2013 drubbing of minnow San Marino, and represent his 56th cap at the international level.

Defoe, who scored twice in that faraway 8-0 victory, earned a call-up from manager Gareth Southgate after his virtuoso performances for relegation struggler Sunderland.

Related: Defoe thought England career was over

With 14 Premier League goals to his name - a whopping 58 percent of the Black Cats' total so far - Defoe is tasked with keeping the north England outfit in the top flight for an 11th consecutive season.

And he is now prepared to handle the assignment of breaking down Lithuania's defence at Wembley, where the visitor is expected to sit back and soak up pressure in hopes of nicking a point in Group F qualifying. Defoe would replace Jamie Vardy in the lineup, despite the Leicester City striker's spirited performance in a 1-0 loss to Germany last Wednesday.

If Southgate's plans do include Defoe, a special moment will unfold even before kick-off. Five-year-old Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery - who struck up a touching friendship with Defoe after being diagnosed with terminal cancer - will serve as a mascot at Wembley. The two would then walk out onto the pitch together.

There will also be a minute's silence and a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the four people who died in this week's terrorist attack in Westminster.