Cancer tot Bradley Lowery set to be England mascot alongside his hero Jermain Defoe after Sunderland star is handed shock international recall
BRAVE Bradley Lowery has been all smiles after discovering he will be England mascot alongside his "best mate" Jermain Defoe at the World Cup qualifier next week.
It comes as the Sunderland striker has been recalled to the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Germany and Lithuania.
The 34-year-old, who has scored 19 times since making his debut in 2004, won the most recent of his 55 England caps against Chile in November 2013.
His recall announced earlier today was extra special for terminally ill Bradley, 5, who was invited by the Football Association to be an England mascot for the World Cup qualifier with Lithuania at Wembley Stadium on March 26.
Bradley's Twitter account posted a video of his reaction, with the words: "Bradley was over the moon to hear his best mate Defoe had been called up for the England game when he is mascot."
Footage shows Bradley sitting in an armchair, as his mum Gemma's voice can be heard asking him: "Guess what? Guess who's going to the England match next week?"
Bradley asks: "Who?"
Gemma replies: "Jermaine."
Bradley can be seen bouncing up and down on the chair with excitement.
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Sunderland footie fan Bradley, from Blackhall, and Defoe have struck up a close friendship in recent months as the youngster battles neuroblastoma for the second time.
Last month, adorable Bradley was carried on to the pitch by hero Defoe after the family revealed the young lad is battling a new cancer.
Scan results showed young Bradley, who is already a mascot for his beloved team Sunderland, developed a growth at the bottom of his back.
The sweet five-year-old won the hearts of the nation after he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in January 2013.
But in a Facebook post last month his parents Gemma and Carl revealed he developed a new tumour.
The message on Bradley’s campaign page read: “Unfortunately the results are not what we wanted to hear.
"Bradley scans show that there has been a small reduction in some parts however there is a new tumour on the bottom of his back.
"As you can imagine we are devastated and heartbroken with this news as I really wanted the new treatment to work.
"We are not sure where we go from here as it will depend on his bone marrow biopsy results.
"He is getting this done tomorrow but results won't be back for another week.
"Why is life so cruel? Why do we have to get bad news time after time?
"Why does my baby not get a break?"
Bradley's next round of treatment will start on March 27.
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