
Sport
Share
Published 13:17 26 Mar 2017 BST
Updated 13:49 26 Mar 2017 BST
Explore more on these topics:
The 34-year-old earned a recall from Southgate last week, after his impressive form with Sunderland over the past few seasons.
The Black Cats are bottom of the Premier League, and face an uphill task to avoid relegation, but Defoe has been excellent, scoring 14 goals already this season.
Defoe's move to Toronto FC in Major League Soccer back in 2014 saw him fall out of favour with former England manager Roy Hodgson. The striker, who has 19 goals for England in 55 games, replaces Jamie Vardy, who started up-front against Germany.
Southgate is seemingly selecting Defoe ahead of Vardy because he expects Lithuania to sit deep and deny England's forwards space to run into.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_UK/status/845946246284165120
The new England manager has also opted to change the team's formation from the Germany loss, where they played with three central defenders and lined out in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
England will reportedly start with a more conventional 4-2-3-1 formation on Sunday evening.
Burnley defender Michael Keane will make his competitive debut, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will start in central midfield alongside Eric Dier. Raheem Sterling will also start.
Here's the XI England will reportedly start:
Catch up with this week's episode of 888sport Football Friday Live
World Cup 2026 prize money: The staggering amount the winners can earn revealed
If it’s coming home, here’s how much England will get Football fans need to gear up and stay up-to-date with the World Cup, as there are just a few days remaining for the much-awaited tournament. The World Cup this year is set to begin on June 11, 2026, and will be hosted across the USA, […]
Sport
1 day ago
The best England and Scotland shirts to buy before World Cup 2026 kicks off
Get ready for the World Cup 2026 The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on 11 June and this is where you can buy the official – and unofficial – shirts for England, Scotland and more. Scotland’s first match will take place at 1am on 14 June, while England kick off their World Cup campaign […]
Sport
1 day ago
Man City threaten legal action after Real Madrid Erling Haaland transfer claim
Sport