Fancy a game, Gaffer?
Defoe to make shock start for England and crocked Kane can only hold his head and watch
JERMAIN DEFOE is finally set to return to England duty against Lithuania today.
The Sunderland striker has not played for England since November 2013 but is expected to start this evening’s World Cup qualifier at Wembley.
De foe’ s 14 goals for Sunderland this season have persuaded Gareth Southgate to hand him an international recall after a four- year absence.
The 34- year- old, whose first cap for England came against Sweden in 2004, will replace Jamie Vardy, who is understood to have picked up a knock against Germany on Wednesday.
Southgate said of his strikers: ‘ They’re both in very good moments. Jamie, the last two games for us, Spain and Germany, has set the tone for the performances from the front. The way he presses and runs in behind defences. And he’s in good form for his club.
‘Equally, Jermain is scoring goals for his club, doesn’t get too many chances, but
he’s a deadly finisher. If called upon, I have every faith that he’ll score goals. No question.’
And Southgate is expected to revert to a back four despite his back three against Germany being well received.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also appears set for a recall in central midfield alongside Eric Dier.
The 23-year-old missed Euro 2016 through injury but has forced his way back into the reckoning with a string of impressive displays for Arsenal.
Raheem Sterling will also be handed a first-team return after being rested for the defeat in Dortmund, while Adam Lallana and Dele Alli retain their places in the starting XI.
Having experimented with a 3-4-3 formation against Germany, Southgate is likely to revert to a back four, with John Stones returning to the team alongside Michael Keane of Burnley in central defence.
The 24-year-old Keane will take the stage at Wembley six years after he travelled there as a teenager to watch his former club Manchester United lose to Barcelona in the Champions League final.
Keane was part of the 2011 United FA Youth Cup-winning team, which included Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Ravel Morrison. And their reward was to be given tickets to the Champions League final, in which Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta delivered possibly their best performance to defeat United 3-1.
Keane said: ‘Barcelona were unbelievable that night. Wembley’s a great place and I haven’t managed to play there. But it’s a special stadium and hopefully that first experience isn’t too far away.’
Former England captain Rio Ferdinand is acting as the young man’s agent and mentor and Keane said of him: ‘He’s been vital for me. He sent me a voicemail on the morning of the Germany game, giving me lots of advice. He’s been someone I’ve leant on quite a lot for his experience and advice.’
Kyle Walker and Ryan Bertrand will start at full-back tonight, while Joe Hart, who captains the side, will start in goal.
‘It’s important we’re flexible,’ said Southgate. ‘Different opponents pose different problems, and different opponents can be exploited with different tactical set-ups. It has to suit us and be the right thing for us to hurt the opposition. It can’t be the same for every game.’