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Gareth Southgate has named Jermain Defoe in his 26-man England squad for the upcoming fixtures against Germany and Lithuania.

The 34-year-old striker's last appearance in a Three Lions shirt came in a 2-0 friendly defeat by Chile at Wembley in November 2013.

But his fine form for Premier League strugglers Sunderland this season, coupled with injuries to Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge, has seen him earn a recall to a squad full of surprises.

The 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.

Jake Livermore and Luke Shaw also made the squad while Marcus Rashford, Phil Jones and Ross Barkley also earned recalls to the international stage.

(Image: The FA via Getty) (Image: REUTERS)

But there is no place for skipper Wayne Rooney, who is currently recovering from a knee problem.

Defoe, who has scored 14 goals in 27 top-flight appearances this season, made his England debut in March 2004 and has scored 19 times in 55 appearances for his country.

"His goalscoring record speaks for itself, he's a finisher," Southgate said upon including Defoe in his squad. "He's played at nearly every age group for England.

"I didn't want age to be a barrier for someone coming in. Someone with his experience and goalscoring record is important for us. We can't just look at young players."

England travel to Dortmund for a friendly against Germany on March 22 before a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley four days later.

Defoe said: “It was funny. A message popped up on my Iphone. You don't see the full message. It was from a Gareth. I don't know a Gareth! Who's this?

“I put my phone down. Then looked at it: “Hello Jermain it is Gareth.SOuthgate. Can I give you a call when you are free and have a chat. How do you feel about England?

(Image: Rex Features) (Image: AMA/WBA FC via Getty)

“We had a good chat. A nice guy. Someone I used to play against.

"I said you used to kick me. So we had a laugh about that. A genuinely nice man and I've always had respect for him.”

Of his decision to select Shaw, Southgate said: "Generally we've tried to pick players who are playing regularly, and one or two have missed out because of that.

"Luke is probably the exception. He's a player we have a lot of belief in.

"Having worked with him before we think he can be an important player for the future.

"Now would be a good time to give him that confidence boost."

England's 26-man squad: Forster, Hart, Heaton; Bertrand, Cahill, Clyne, Jones, Keane, Shaw, Smalling, Walker, Stones; Alli, Antonio, Barkley, Dier, Lallana, Lingard, Livermore, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Redmond, Sterling, Ward-Prowse; Defoe, Rashford, Vardy.

(Image: REUTERS)