Jermain Defoe has been given every chance of making England's 2018 World Cup squad by manager Gareth Southgate.

The 34-year-old Sunderland striker marked his return to international football with the opening goal as England defeated Lithuania 2-0 in World Cup qualifying at Wembley today.

Defoe missed the 2014 World Cup squad under Roy Hodgson but would certainly be considered if he continues to show this sort of form says Southgate.

"I think we've got to look every time we get together as to who is in form," Southgate said when asked if Defoe was a realistic chance for the 2018 squad.

"I don't know if we can have a distinct pecking order because players that are playing well deserve the opportunity.

"If we are going to be successful, we have got to have that competition for places.

"The reality is we will always lose players to injury, we've never been able to field or pick a full cohort, so it's really important that we are able to call upon the likes of Jermain and for him to have the impact he had in a game like today.

"But if he is scoring goals in the Premier League and playing as well as he has this season, then there's absolutely no reason why he couldn't."

Defoe has scored 14 of Sunderland's 24 Premier League goals this season.