The 34-year-old won the most recent of his 55 England caps against Chile in November 2013.
Uncapped Southampton duo Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse are also selected, as is 19-year-old Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford.
Gareth Southgate's side face Germany away in a friendly on 22 March before a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley on 26 March.
West Brom midfielder Jake Livermore, who made his sole international appearance against Italy in 2012, returns to the squad.
Burnley defender Michael Keane and West Ham winger Michail Antonio - both of whom are uncapped - are also selected.
Southgate has also called up Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw, who has made two appearances since December, and Everton midfielder Ross Barkley.
Defoe has scored 14 Premier League goals this season, the second most by any English player behind Tottenham striker Harry Kane (19).
He has scored 19 times for England since making his debut against Sweden in 2004.
"You can have the young players who are hungry and the old players who are hungry as well," Southgate told the England website.
"I think we can't just look at young players all the time. I think we have to get results now and also plan for the future."
Kane is missing after injuring his ankle against Millwall on Sunday, while captain Wayne Rooney is absent with a leg injury.
Southgate said there was "a chance" Rooney would be fit for Manchester United's Premier League game against Middlesbrough on Sunday.
"The injury, coupled with the fact he's not really had a lot of game time recently and others have, has sort of determined my decision on that one," he added.
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is also absent through injury, while Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has not been selected.
"Theo has a really valid claim for being included," said Southgate. "I didn't see him featuring in the games this week and I needed to look at one or two other players that I don't know too much about."
Jermain Defoe posted on Twitter after the announcement. He added: "It is also special for my family and I feel I deserve this because I've always dedicated myself to the game. I'm really looking forward to 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!"
England squad:
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Torino, on loan from Man City), Tom Heaton (Burnley).
Defenders: 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).
Midfielders: 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).
Strikers: Jermain Defoe (Sunderland), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Jamie Vardy (Leicester).
source;bbc sports
0 comments:
Post a Comment