Shearer discusses England's front line

Last updated : 21 March 2017 By England Mad

As England prepare for international week, former striker Alan Shearer gives his view on Gareth Southgate's squad selection.

The friendly with Germany on Wednesday is followed by Sunday's World Cup qualifier with Lithuania.

"The Lithuania game is the more important one, but it should not make any difference which of them starts it," the former Newcastle man told the BBC. "Whoever plays, we should have enough to beat them.

"But I think it tells you where English football is right now that we have got to call up Rashford - a teenager who has hardly played as centre-forward this season - and Defoe - a 34-year-old who has been around for years and has not been in the squad since 2013.

"Yes, Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge are both injured too, but it is not exactly a position of strength.

"There are different arguments for Vardy, Rashford or Defoe to lead the attack against Lithuania.

"For the vast majority of the season, Vardy has been poor. It's only in the past five games, since his goal in Sevilla, that he has found any real form. In the past three-and-a-half weeks he has been brilliant.

"Rashford is playing more for Manchester United, and in a central role, at the moment because of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's suspension.

"I know he didn't score for United against Middlesbrough but he played well, looked dangerous and had chances, just like he did against Chelsea in the FA Cup last week.

"At 19, Rashford represents the future - a player we will look to for the next few years, not just this week. 

"Defoe isn't the future - but he has scored goals in a struggling side for Sunderland this season, with virtually every chance he has had.

"He deserves to be in the squad on current form."