Thursday 16 March 2017 20:50, UK
Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has been handed a recall by England manager Gareth Southgate.
The 34-year-old has been in outstanding form this season with 14 Premier League goals and takes advantage of injuries suffered by Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney.
Defoe has not featured for England since 2013 but will be in the squad for the friendly against Germany in Dortmund on March 22 and the World Cup qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley on March 26.
There is also a call-up for Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, with Leicester's Jamie Vardy the only other recognised striker in the squad.
The 26-man group includes Southampton pair James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond, both of whom have played for Southgate at under-21 level but have yet to feature for the seniors, along with the uncapped Michael Keane and Michail Antonio.
West Brom midfielder Jake Livermore has made the squad and should get the chance to add to the England cap he won against Italy in 2012.
With Tottenham's Danny Rose sidelined through injury, Southgate has selected full back Luke Shaw despite the fact he has made just one Premier League appearance for Manchester United since October.
England squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, Tom Heaton
Defenders: Ryan Bertrand, Gary Cahill, Nathaniel Clyne, Phil Jones, Michael Keane, Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling, John Stones, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Dele Alli, Michail Antonio, Ross Barkley, Eric Dier, Adam Lallana, Jesse Lingard, Jake Livermore, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Nathan Redmond, Raheem Sterling, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Jermain Defoe, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford
