England vs Germany preview

Jermain Defoe could make his first international appearance in over three years when England face Germany in a friendly in Dortmund on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old has not played for the Three Lions since a 2-0 defeat to Chile in November 2013, but his form for Sunderland has earned him a recall to the squad.

The striker has scored 14 Premier League goals this season and is hopeful he could make the 2018 World Cup.

„Being lucky enough to have experienced it, you just want it more and more. So for me, if I do get an opportunity to go to another major tournament, it’d be a dream.“

Defoe is one of only three strikers in the England squad along with Jamie Vardy and Marcus Rashford.

England, who face Lithuania in a World Cup Qualifier on Sunday, are unbeaten since their shock Euro 2016 defeat to Iceland, and this will be Gareth Southgate’s first match as permanent manager.

Lukas Podolski will captain Germany in his 130th and final appearance, as he bids farewell to international football.

Former Arsenal forward Podolski has scored 48 international goals but is calling time on his Germany career as he prepares to move to Japanese side Vissel Kobe at the end of the season.

News for the teams

Germany are without injured quartet Mesut Ozil, Julian Draxler, Mario Gomez and Manuel Neuer.

Arsenal playmaker Ozil and Paris Saint-Germain attacker Draxler have both reported hamstring problems, while Wolfsburg striker Gomez has a groin injury and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer is out with a calf problem.Manchester United defender Phil Jones was released from the England squad after suffering an injury in training on Tuesday.Raheem Sterling missed the session as he is on his own personal recovery plan following Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday, however there were no concerns surrounding him.

Charlie Nicholas’ prediction

I’m a little bit confused by Gareth Southgate’s squad selection, but I guess it’s because of the lack of choices he’s got.

You could make a case for Andy Carroll or Jack Wilshere to be in there, but James Ward-Prowse, really? I guess he wants to have a look at some players, but surely you have to make real a merit out of call ups rather than just handing them out.I fear he’ll play Jermain Defoe up front on his own because he’s proved at Sunderland that he doesn’t need to see a lot of the ball, but that’s not fair on the lad, having to feed off scraps again for his country in his big chance.I think this will be pretty feisty and I’d expect plenty of bookings and Thomas Muller, who looks like he’s back in the goals after a pretty poor season, to do the damage again.