Jermain Defoe, Sunderland striker, said that, he has "done everything right" to earn a call-up for England's Euro 2016 squad.

Defoe supported the Black Cats in retaining its position in the Premier League, by hitting 15 goals. Manager Roy Hodgson named this 33 year old player, for the Monday’s tournament.

Responding to this, Defoe said, “If I do go it'll be a dream because it'll be my third tournament and playing for England is something that I've always wanted to do. I'm happy with the way I've performed this season I've ticked every box and if I don't go then I can say at least I've done everything right.”  

As the Football Association cited "fitness reasons", Hodgson has delayed the announcement of his squad to take to France until after the final Premier League fixtures, this weekend.

Hodgson already lost Arsenal's Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain and Danny Wellbeck to injury, with Manchester United defender Luke Shaw another to miss out.

Defoe said that, he joined Sunderland last January, from Major League Soccer side Toronto, with an England place at the back of his mind.

“As a forward you get judged on scoring goals. The England managers at the time thought I could always come on and score. When I came back I thought 'all I've got to do is go there, focus, get my goals and hopefully get in the frame and take it from there',” he said.

In this season, Tottenham's Harry Kane (25) and Leicester's Jamie Vardy (24) are the only Englishmen with more top-flight goals and Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce said his striker could "still do it at the highest level”.

It was the last cap for Defoe in November 2013 and he earlier said that, he would "never be at peace" with missing out on the 2014 World Cup squad for Brazil.

By Phani Ch