Gareth Southgate's latest England squad sees Jermain Defoe return to the national team fold.
The Sunderland striker has been in fine form for the struggling Black Cats this season and is the sole reason why they are still in with a chance of avoiding relegation.
With Harry Kane's ankle injury ruling him out of selection for the next lot of England fixtures, Defoe has been drafted back in.
The 34-year old has been away from international football for four years, with his last appearance for England coming in a friendly against Chile at Wembley back in 2013.
Defoe has scored 14 goals in 30 appearances for bottom side Sunderland and his inclusion in the latest England squad is bound to open up a debate about whether he's worth including given that he isn't getting any younger.
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But he's shown no signs of his age slowing him down in front of goal and with Kane's injury, was there a more logical decision than to give Defoe a return?
The former Spurs man has scored 19 goals in 55 appearances for his country, including a goal in the 2010 World Cup when Defoe bagged the crucial goal to edge out Slovenia in England's final group game and ensure that the Three Lions advanced to the knockout phase.
England take on Germany in a friendly in Dortmund on 22 March before they take on Lithuania in a FIFA World Cup qualifier at Wembley four days later.
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Michail Antonio, Michael Keane and Jake Livermore are all also included in the England squad, while Southampton pair Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse both earn their first call-ups.
Despite playing just 70 minutes of Premier League football since October, Luke Shaw makes the cut.
Arsenal pair Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck are the the glaring omissions.
Here is the squad in full:
What do you make of Defoe's inclusion? What do you make of the squad on the whole? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Featured Image Credit:Topics:Β Jermain Defoe, Sunderland, England
