Evergreen Defoe earns England recall

AFP, BURTON-ON-TRENT (UK): Veteran Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe earned a first England call-up in four years on Thursday for the forthcoming friendly against Germany and World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.
Defoe, 34, has been drafted in after captain Wayne Rooney, Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane and Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge were ruled out by injury.
He won the last of his 55 caps in November 2013, but has continued to score regularly for Sunderland, netting 14 times in the Premier League this season.
“I didn't want to just look at his age and think he's finished with England,” England manager Gareth Southgate told reporters at the St George's Park football centre in Burton-on-Trent, central England.
“I think you get young players with a point to prove and older players with a point to prove.
“Year after year he's phenomenal, but this year in particular, in a team that aren't creating as many chances as other teams, his strike rate is outstanding.”
Southgate's 26-man squad included first call-ups for Southampton pair Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse, both of whom played under him at under-21 level.

 

Evergreen Defoe earns England recall

AFP, BURTON-ON-TRENT (UK): Veteran Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe earned a first England call-up in four years on Thursday for the forthcoming friendly against Germany and World Cup qualifier against Lithuania. Defoe, 34, has been drafted in after captain Wayne Rooney, Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane and Liverpools Daniel Sturridge were ruled out by injury. He won the last of his 55 caps in November 2013, but has continued to score regularly for Sunderland, netting 14 times in the Premier League this season. I didnt want to just look at his age and think hes finished with England, England manager Gareth Southgate told reporters at the St Georges Park football centre in Burton-on-Trent, central England. I think you get young players with a point to prove and older players with a point to prove. Year after year hes phenomenal, but this year in particular, in a team that arent creating as many chances as other teams, his strike rate is outstanding. Southgates 26-man squad included first call-ups for Southampton pair Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse, both of whom played under him at under-21 level.