Defoe given hope for World Cup

ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate feels there is no reason why Jermain Defoe cannot play at next year’s soccer World Cup after he marked his international comeback with a goal.

Sunderland striker Defoe, 34, scored the opener as England toiled to a 2-0 qualifying win over Lithuania on Sunday, following close to 3½ years in the international wilderness.

He has scored 14 goals for Sunderland in the Premier League this season, but he also owed his international recall to the absences through injury of Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge.

“I think we’ve got to look every time we get together as to who is in form,” Southgate said at Wembley.

“I don’t know if we can have a distinct pecking order, because players who are playing well deserve the opportunity. If we are going to be successful, we have to have that competition for places.

“If he scores like he is in the Premier League, there’s no reason why he wouldn’t be [picked for the World Cup].”

Defoe’s 20th international goal arrived in the 22nd minute as he directed a side-foot shot past Ernestas Setkus following a burst down the left by Raheem Sterling.

Substitute Jamie Vardy notched the hosts’ second in the 66th minute, finishing coolly after being set up by Adam Lallana’s exquisite flicked pass.

Victory left England four points clear at the top of Uefa qualifying Group F, but ahead of June’s trip to old foes Scotland, Southgate sounded a note of caution.

“We know what Scotland will be like and we have to play on a plastic pitch in Lithuania. We have to keep improving with every performance,” he said. – AFP