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Golascorer Defoe 5-2 to make World Cup squad

Jermain Defoe marked his return to the England side with the opening goal as the Three Lions beat Lithuania 2-0 at Wembley.

Defoe made the most of the chance offered to him by manager Gareth Southgate but bookmakers don't expect the 34-year-old to be involved at the World Cup finals next year.

Bet365 rate Defoe 5-2 to claim a place in Southgate's squad for Russia and to stand a chance of gatecrashing the party he will almost certainly have to leave Sunderland this summer, assuming the beleaguered Black Cats are relegated.

Jamie Vardy, a second-half substitute for Defoe, doubled England's advantage in a one-sided contest that saw the Three Lions stay on course for a comfortable qualification from Group F.

Defoe did little other than score the goal but Southgate is not blessed with so many attacking options that he can afford to be fussy about his forwards.

The injured Harry Kane is nailed-on to represent his country presuming England qualify but outside of that there are no obvious candidates.

Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Andy Carroll have all had their injury problems, while Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford are struggling to get playing time at Manchester United.

At least defensively England are keeping clean sheets and their latest shutout means they are the only team in European World Cup qualifying who are yet to concede following Azerbaijan's goal against Germany in a 4-1 defeat.

Andre Schurrle scored twice and Mario Gomez and Thomas Muller were also on target for the world champions.

Czech Republic thrashed San Marino 6-0 and Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored as Armenia beat Kazakhstan 2-0. 

 

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