JERMAIN DEFOE will be leading the line as England look to take another step towards the 2018 World Cup in Russia when they host Lithuania at Wembley this afternoon.

Defoe will be winning his 56th senior cap, and will be making his first international appearance since featuring in a friendly against Chile in November 2013.

The Sunderland striker has been rewarded for a string of impressive Premier League performances despite his club side's struggles close to the foot of the table.

He replaces Jamie Vardy from the side that suffered a friendly defeat in Germany on Wednesday, and will start as a lone striker as England attempt to cement their position at the top of the Group F table.

Having started with three centre-halves in Dortmund, England boss Gareth Southgate reverts to a flat back four this afternoon, with John Stones playing alongside Michael Keane.

Dele Alli and Adam Lallana will start in the attacking midfield positions, with Raheem Sterling and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain getting the nod on the flanks.

ENGLAND (4-1-4-1): Hart; Walker, Stones, Keane, Bertrand; Dier; Sterling, Alli, Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Defoe.