Sam Allardyce has revealed that despite only being England boss for a matter of weeks, he is considering handing a 56th cap for England to Jermain Defoe.
Defoe has put his hand up for national team selection. The forward has thrived under Sam Allardyce’s management after taking charge of Sunderland last season, and now the diminutive striker is under consideration for an international return.
“It might be Jermain Defoe on Sunday night because others have got injured, who knows? He would love to come – because he’s already told me!” Allardyce said.
The Sunderland striker has scored 19 goals in 55 England caps but has not been selected by his country since 2013.
“There’s [Daniel] Sturridge, [Jamie] Vardy, Harry Kane. Wayne Rooney can still play up front if you wanted him to.
“He is someone I could look at but that depends on the form of all the other lads who are up there.
“Jermain Defoe is not out of the question, I won’t say that, but whether I do that or not will depend on which other players are available.”
Allardyce faces numerous decisions at the selection table. It will be intriguing to see who the new manager selects for his maiden squad.
With England fairing rather well in recent qualifying campaigns the upcoming matches against Slovakia and Malta present a platform for a new look squad with Jermain Defoe amongst the possible inclusions.
In any case Allardyce’s much derided style of play will be closely monitored from the offset as England pursue qualification for the 2018 World Cup.
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