Should Jermain Defoe be in the England squad? Sunderland fans have their say

We asked whether fans would like to see Gareth Southgate end Defoe's near four-year spell in the international wilderness with a recall and six out of 10 fans said he has been in superb form and deserves a call-up.

Defoe is the club's top scorer with 14 goals and the only Englishman with more Premier League goals is Harry Kane - who is out with an ankle injury - with 19.

Meanwhile, 40 per cent of fans said they didn't feel Sunderland needed the added-risk of Defoe being away ahead of a very busy April with the Black Cats scrapping for survival.

The national team coaches met to discuss call-ups at St George's Park on Wednesday morning ahead of today's squad announcements, report the Press Association.

Marcus Rashford will be called upon to help ease Southgate's attacking headache, with the Manchester United striker set to be named in the first England squad of the manager's permanent reign.

Wayne Rooney is set to miss out though which means there is still an attacking place to fill.

The teams will be drip fed out until the senior squad is announced at 2pm, when Everton playmaker Ross Barkley's upturn in form could be rewarded with a first call-up since Euro 2016.

However, Liverpool's Jordan Henderson, who has captained England in Rooney's absence, is out with a foot injury.

There is a question mark over Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain due to a slight hamstring problem, so too Jack Wilshere having lost his place in the Bournemouth starting line-up in recent matches.

Danny Rose's knee injury keeps the Tottenham left-back out, although Ryan Bertrand, Aaron Cresswell and Leighton Baines are alternatives. Luke Shaw is also available, despite only featuring twice for Manchester United since November 30, and remains eligible for England Under-21s.

Southampton duo Nathan Redmond, the Under-21s player of the year, and Young Lions captain James Ward-Prowse are pushing for first senior call-ups, but Southgate may be dissuaded with the Under-21 European Championship looming large.

Middlesbrough's Ben Gibson played for Southgate's Under-21s and is said to be on the manager's radar, while Phil Jones' displays in Manchester United's defence will not have gone unnoticed.

West Ham's Michail Antonio will be hoping to receive another England call-up having yet to make his international debut.