GARETH SOUTHGATE admits Jermain Defoe’s hopes of featuring in next year’s World Cup finals could hinge on his continued participation in the Premier League.

Defoe ended a three-and-a-half year international exile in impressive fashion earlier today as his first-half opener paved the way for a 2-0 win over Lithuania that strengthened England’s grip on their qualifying group for Russia.

The Sunderland striker scored his first international goal since March 2013 as he converted Raheem Sterling’s pull-back, and while the likes of Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge could return from injury by the time England return to action with a double-header against France and Scotland in June, Defoe has thrust himself back into the international mix.

He will be 35 by the time next summer’s World Cup rolls around, but rather than focusing on his age, Southgate is more concerned at the level at which he is performing.

Defoe was not considered for international selection when he left England to play in the MLS, and would find it hard to force his way into the squad if he was to drop into the Championship next season. That could have major repercussions for the remainder of his contract at Sunderland given the Black Cats’ position at the foot of the table.

“If Jermain scores like he is in the Premier League, then there’s no reason why he wouldn’t be an option (for the next World Cup),” said Southgate, who watched Jamie Vardy add to Defoe’s opener in the second half of today’s game. “The ideal world for all of our players is that they are playing regularly at a high level.

“The flip side of that is that we don’t have a huge pool of players to pick from, so we have to balance off a few different things. I can’t constrain myself on selection entirely, but I know ideally what I’d like to have. His performances and goalscoring form this season are the things that have counted for him.”

Defoe proved his predatory skills remain as potent as ever as he slotted home a crisp side-footed finish to break the deadlock.

He has scored 14 Premier League goals for Sunderland this season, and his performances on the training ground last week were a major factor in Southgate opting to start with him ahead of both Vardy and Marcus Rashford.

“He’s been thrilled to be back involved in the squad and has enjoyed his week immensely,” said the England boss. “He’s been a good senior professional to have around the team, both in terms of the way he’s trained, with his professionalism which has been great for the younger players to see, and his finishing in training and then today.

“We expected that really – I would have put my house on him scoring at some stage. He’s had a really positive impact on everybody.

“We selected him on form. We’ve got really good competition for places, and we need to have that. I don’t really know if we can have a distinct pecking order because players who are playing well deserve the opportunity.

“If we are going to be successful, we have to have that competition for places. The reality is that we will always lose players to injury. We’re never able to pick a full cohort, so it’s important we can call upon the likes of Jermain and he can have the impact he has had today.”

An emotional afternoon for Defoe was capped by the presence of Bradley Lowery, the five-year-old cancer sufferer with whom he has forged a close bond over the last 12 months.

Lowery, who hails from Blackhall, County Durham, was the chief mascot at Wembley, with England skipper Joe Hart stepping aside to enable Defoe to lead the youngster onto the field.

“I enjoyed it, it’s been a good week,” said Defoe. “It’s hard to put into words really. I had to keep my emotions (under control), obviously little Brad was with me. You can imagine how I felt doing that, it was special. Just to be back playing with the lads was a great feeling.

“I’ve got to go back to my club now and make sure we finish the season strong. Like I’ve always done, I’ll keep my head down and see what happens.”

Defoe’s performance illuminated an otherwise unremarkable England display, although Southgate felt Lithuania’s defensive mindset made it hard for his side to sparkle.  

“I’ll not eulogise over the performance, but it’s job done,” he said. “The overall week has been positive. The players can see the direction in which we want to head. For sure, we’ll play better than we did today.

“We’d have liked to have scored more. In the opening 55 minutes, we could have moved the ball a bit more quickly. We didn’t have enough runs in behind the opposition to stretch them, and the two substitutes gave us that and had a good impact. But it’s difficult when a team comes and packs their defence.”