Monday 27 March 2017 13:20, UK
Adam Lallana thinks recalled striker Jermain Defoe can have a "massive" part to play in future England matches.
And the Liverpool man says the veteran Sunderland forward made a big impact in training with the national side last week.
The 34-year-old Defoe has forced his way back into the England reckoning, such has been his impressive form for Sunderland.
And he won his first cap since November 2013 on Sunday, scoring the opening goal in the 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Lithuania at Wembley.
With England firmly on course to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Defoe has now emerged as a candidate to be named in the squad for Russia.
And Lallana thinks Defoe has proved in recent days that he would be very worthy of selection.
"Of course you can't win things with just kids and inexperience and it is great to have someone like that around the camp," said Lallana, himself now an England regular.
"It is refreshing to see the hunger he still has, at times you think he is 23, 24 because he is that hungry and that driven to still improve.
"His enthusiasm for the game is really refreshing and it is great for people in our squad to see.
"We have got a lot of young players, so it is great to see the hunger he has still got.
"He is determined to, not just be here for this squad, [but] keep being picked and be in the squad for Russia at the World Cup - and why not when he comes and contributes like he did?"
Having now lined up on the same side as Defoe, Lallana agrees that the Sunderland man's goalscoring ability could be a major plus at a big tournament.
"It can be massive," he said.
"He is all about goals but I think his link-up play at times was superb.
"He wants to be in the six-yard box and feed off scraps at times and you need these type of players, so I was delighted for him to get his goal and get us on the way for three points.
"He is a great role model for everyone in the squad. He has been absolutely brilliant this week, he sets a great example for a lot of us players.
"It still feels like you are playing with a 25-year-old Jermain Defoe. My dad used to take me to watch Bournemouth play when he famously scored in 10 games in a row.
"To be playing with him for England is quite surreal, it is the Jermain Defoe of old.
"You bet your bottom dollar he is going to score a goal and he did."
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