Veteran striker playing his way back into World Cup contention

LONDON - England manager Gareth Southgate said on Sunday there was no reason why Jermain Defoe could not play at next year's World Cup after the 34-year-old marked his international comeback with a goal.

Defoe scored the opener in England's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Lithuania at Wembley following close to three and a half years in the international wilderness.

The former Tottenham forward has scored 14 goals for the relegation-battling Sunderland in the Premier League this season, but owes his international recall to the injury absences of Harry Kane and Daniel Sturridge.

"I think we've got to look every time we get together as to who is in form," Southgate said.

"I don't 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 we will always lose players to injury. We're never able to pick a full team, so it's important we can call upon the likes of Jermain and he can have the kind of impact he showed today.

"If he scores like he is in the Premier League, there's no reason why he wouldn't be picked for the World Cup."

Defoe's 20th goal for his country arrived in the 22nd minute as he side-footed past Ernestas Setkus following a burst down the left by Raheem Sterling.

Substitute Jamie Vardy notched England's second in the 66th minute, finishing coolly after being set up by an exquisite Adam Lallana flick.

Sterling and Lallana were given freedom to roam alongside Dele Alli in England's 4-2-3-1 system, and Southgate hailed their contributions.

"He's a player we really like," Southgate said of Manchester City winger Sterling.

"We don't have a lot of players in the country who can beat people in one-versus-one situations and he's explosive in those types of areas.

"He's improving all the time and has the hunger and desire to improve.

"He's a ballsy player. I like that about him as well."

Lallana lauded

Southgate also heaped praise on Liverpool's Lallana.

"Adam injects something. He created a really good opening just before the first goal. The game in tight areas is where his quick feet and quick brain stand out.

"There weren't so many opportunities for us to turn the ball over high up the pitch, but he starts that press off.

"I'm really impressed with his mentality and quality."

Having successfully experimented with a 3-4-2-1 formation in last week's 1-0 friendly loss to Germany, Southgate opted for a 4-2-3-1 shape against Lithuania.

"The good thing now is every coach who plays against us has got to prepare for two systems," he said.

"They're going to have to work a bit harder, which is great."

England is four points clear at the top of Group F, but ahead of June's trip to old foe Scotland, Southgate sounded a note of caution.

"The group is in our hands, which is the most important thing," he said.

"But we know what Scotland will be like and we have to play on a plastic pitch in Lithuania. We have to keep improving with every performance."

Lithuania's hopes of qualifying for its first major tournament receded further, but manager Edgaras Jankauskas was upbeat.

"We know how much work we have to do to improve, but I believe we have the two most important qualities that can guide that improvement - dedication and application," said Jankauskas.

Rooney 'still has role to play'

Wayne Rooney can still play a useful role for both his country and Manchester United, former teammate Paul Scholes said on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Rooney, England's all-time leading scorer with 53 goals in his 119 international appearances, is not definitively out of the national team picture, according to coach Gareth Southgate. But lack of first-team action with United is not helping his cause.

Rooney, who missed Sunday's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Lithuania with a leg injury, has been linked with a summer exit from Old Trafford, with either the Chinese Super League or former club Everton his likely destination.

But Scholes said it would be a loss for England and United if Rooney was dispensed with.

"Wayne has been a sensational footballer for England and Manchester United for nearly 15 years. He is greatly respected and I still think he has a part to play with United and England," said Scholes, who won 66 England caps.

"He has great experience, he can pass knowledge on to young players and it's up to Gareth if and when he wants to use it.

"I don't want to talk about Wayne going to another English club; I hope he gets himself back into the United team. He has a fight on his hands but the Wayne Rooney I know is someone who will face that challenge and try to do it.

"He still has a prominent role to play for England and United. There's been a lot of speculation over where he goes now but Wayne, with what he's done, has earned the right to do what he wants to do. I hope he stays."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 03/28/2017 page24)