Southgate: Jermain Defoe can make World Cup squad

The 34-year-old's performances at Sunderland have led to a surprising international turnaround, having last won an international cap in November 2013.

Defoe made his return in Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Lithuania and marked his 56th international appearance by sweeping home midway through the first half to set England on course for a straightforward 2-0 win.

"It's a great moment for him," Southgate said of England's man of the match.

"He was thrilled to be back involved in the squad, I think he has enjoyed his week immensely.

"He's been a good senior professional to have around the team, both in terms of the way he's trained, his professionalism, which has been great for some of the younger players to see, and his finishing in training and then today, which we expected really.

"I would have put my house on him scoring at some stage today, so I think he's had a really positive impact on everybody."

It was a special day for a striker who has established himself in Southgate's thinking in the absence of Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge.

Defoe could even head to Russia next summer at the age of 35.

"I think we've got to look every time we get together as to who is in form," Southgate said when asked if the striker was a realistic proposition for the 2018 World Cup.

"I don't know if we can have a distinct pecking order because players that are playing well deserve the opportunity.

"If we are going to be successful, we have got to have that competition for places.

"The reality is we will always lose players to injury, we've never been able to field or pick a full cohort, so it's really important that we are able to call upon the likes of Jermain and for him to have the impact he had in a game like today.

"But if he is scoring goals in the Premier League and playing as well as he has this season, then there's absolutely no reason why he couldn't."

Liverpool's Adam Lallana believes England have a better chance of winning trophies if Defoe is in the squad.

Lallana said: "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, 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 (against Lithuania)?"

England have managed just seven goals in their last nine games in major tournament finals, and the midfielder reckons Defoe could help to improve that tally.

He added: "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."

Immediately after Sunday's game, Sky Bet were offering 9/2 for Defoe to earn a World Cup squad place, but that had been backed in to 3/1 by Monday morning.

Defoe struggled to keep his emotions in check as he wound back the years at Wembley, where he led the team out with Bradley Lowery, the terminally-ill five-year-old who calls the Sunderland striker his "best mate".

"It's hard to put into words really," Defoe told ITV.

"I had to keep my emotions (under control), obviously little Brad was with me. You can imagine how I felt doing that, having done it with my club as well, it was special.

"Just to be back playing with the lads was a great feeling. I enjoyed it, it's been a good week.

"Just to win the game was important and we did that. It's hard to put in words really to be back."