SUNDERLAND striker Jermain Defoe says he deserves his surprise recall to the England squad for this month's matches against Germany and Lithuania.

Defoe's last England appearance came in a friendly against Chile in November 2013, and he did not make the squad for either the 2014 World Cup in Brazil or last summer's European Championships in France.

However, his 14 Premier League goals in the current campaign for Sunderland have earned him a recall, with Gareth Southgate without a number of leading strikers because of injury.

Writing on Twitter, Defoe expressed his delight at the call-up.

"Thanks to everyone for your messages! Playing for England has been my dream since day one so to be back in the squad is so special for me," he wrote.

"Meeting up with the squad and seeing all the boys. This time around it'll be strange being one of the older lads, but I can't wait! BUZZING!

"It's also special for my family and I feel I deserve this because I've always dedicated myself to the game."

Harry Kane is facing a six-week absence after damaging his ankle, with Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge also unavailable.

Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy have also been selected in the squad, but there is a good chance of Defoe featuring as England take on Germany in a friendly before hosting Lithuania in a World Cup qualifier.

ENGLAND SQUAD: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Torino, on loan from Man City), Tom Heaton (Burnley); Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Man Utd), Michael Keane (Burnley), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Chris Smalling (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham); Dele Alli (Tottenham), Michail Antonio (West Ham) 

Ross Barkley (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Man Utd), Jake Livermore (West Brom), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Nathan Redmond (Southampton), Raheem Sterling (Man City), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton); Jermain Defoe (Sunderland), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Jamie Vardy (Leicester).