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Gareth Southgate refuses to rule out Jermain Defoe’s chances of playing at 2018 World Cup

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Gareth Southgate would have put his house on Jermain Defoe's goalscoring return, with the veteran's attitude and aptitude meaning there is no reason for the England manager to believe next year's World Cup is beyond him.

The 34-year-old's performances at Sunderland have belied his advancing years and led to a surprising international turnaround, having won the last of his 55 international appearances in November 2013.

Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Lithuania saw him win his long-awaited 56th cap, being deployed from the start at Wembley as England looked to prise open the visitors' well-drilled, packed defence.