(Reuters) - Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe is delighted by his call up to England's squad for next week's friendly against Germany and a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania and admitted he thought his international career was over. With injuries to Daniel Sturridge, Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane, England manager Gareth Southgate recalled the 34-year-old, who last appeared for his country in late 2013. "Obviously delighted I'm back in there," Defoe, who has scored 29 league goals for Sunderland since the start of 2015-16 season, told the club website (www.safc.com). "If I am being totally honest, I thought I would have had a chance last season, finishing the third-highest English goalscorer behind (Harry) Kane and (Jamie) Vardy. England play world champions Germany in a friendly in Dortmund next Wednesday and Lithuania at Wembley in the qualifier on March 26.

Source: The Star March 17, 2017 09:27 UTC