World Cup 2018 Ambitions Still Alivefor Jermain Defoe

Sunderland striker Jermaine Defoe is eyeing a berth in the England squad for the highly anticipated World Cup finals in Russia next year.

The 34-year-old had been ignored from the Three Lions squad for the vast part of four seasons before earning a surprise recall earlier in March.

Defoe managed to net his first goal on his international recall against Lithuania, and he is now hoping to make him a regular in order to realise his ambition of representing his nation in another World Cup.

"I want to be in Russia, 100 per cent. If I continue scoring goals, then I believe the manager will take me. But obviously I've got to keep scoring," he is quoted as saying on The Telegraph. "When you're scoring goals, let's be honest, clubs are going to want you. I've had a lot of interest. But I've got an idea where I'm going. When it comes to July everyone will know. I know where I want to go to kick on again. I don't want to stand still."

England stand as large outsiders to lift the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but there is still potential within the squad with the likes of Dele Alli and Harry Kane providing the impetus in the attacking department. Defoe had bagged his first start in four years owing to an injury to Kane, and the latter's arrival could restrict him to a role on the substitutes' bench.

Jamie Vardy is the other who could potentially battle for the centre-forward position, and Southgate will have some selection headaches ahead of his side's key World Cup qualifier against close neighbours Scotland. England currently hold a four point gap over second-placed Slovenia in their group, and a win over Scotland could further strengthen their chances of earning qualification to the showpiece event.