Sunderland veteran Jermain Defoe can play his way to an England recall today.

The Daily Star says Defoe faces Middlesbrough in the Wear-Tees derby at the Stadium of Light knowing that new England boss Sam Allardyce rates him.

Allardyce worked with Defoe, 33 when he was Sunderland boss last season and the striker scored 18 league and cup goals.

He netted again at Man City last weekend.

Allardyce names his first England squad a week today for the World Cup qualifier in Slovakia on September 4.