STRIKER Jermain Defoe believes “the door is open” for him to make England’s World Cup squad after speaking to boss Gareth Southgate.

The 35-year-old was left out of the national squad for friendlies against Germany and Brazil last month.

But having netted twice for Cherries in their 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace, the frontman revealed he retained ambitions of being on the plane to Russia in 2018.

He told the Daily Echo: “I spoke to Gareth and he said if I get myself fit, sharp and score goals then the door is open.

“I have always said as a kid you want to go to a World Cup.

“I played in one World Cup and you think ‘right, I want to go to another one’. If I do end up going it will be my last but it is based on merit.

“You have to be performing to get in the squad, so it is down to me. As a forward, if you are scoring goals, you must be in contention. That is all you can do.

“I want to get my head down like I have always done, enjoy my football, try to produce and go from there.”

Defoe has won 57 England caps and scored 20 goals. He featured in the squad during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and fired the winner in a group game against Slovenia.

He was overlooked by Roy Hodgson for the 2014 tournament and came back to haunt the former England boss, now at Palace, with two goals at Selhurst Park.

Providing competition for Defoe in the Three Lions ranks is Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, who he could share the Old Trafford pitch with tomorrow (8pm).

But the former Tottenham man insisted he was a huge fan of the 20-year-old’s exciting ability.

“He’s brilliant,” added Defoe. “It is just a matter of time before he goes on and scores 20-plus goals per season.

“He is a special talent. Some of the things I have seen him do in training when we are away with England, it’s just like ‘wow’.

“When he is on it he is unplayable and he is a nice boy. I have spoken to him about certain things.

“When you are young it is not easy but when I am finished I will still be watching him, so I look forward to that.

“I am not one of those people that thinks ‘I don’t want him to do well because I want to get on the plane’. I will never be like that.

“I watch games and I want him to score. You want people to do well and I like him as a person.”

Rashford has scored in his past two games heading into the clash with Cherries, having found the net against CSKA Moscow and Manchester City.