Goals from Frank Lampard and substitute Jermain Defoe gave England a 2-1 win over Slovenia in the friendly international at Wembley. The hosts were awarded a soft first half penalty after Bostjan Cesar was adjudges to have fouled Wayne Rooney; Lampard then converted from 12 yards.

Rooney later hit the woodwork before Defoe continued his fine goalscoring start to the campaign by firing home in the 61st minute.

Slovenia deservedly pulled one back with Zlatan Ljubijankic heading past Robert Green late on.

The Three Lions now look forward to Wednesday and a meeting with Croatia at Wembley were three points will guarantee a place in next years World Cup in South Africa.

Defoe insists he is happy coming on as substitute providing he keeps making a goalscoring impact.

Defoe told ITV1: "Everyone wants to play; no one wants to sit on the bench. But at the end of the day if I can come on and make an impact like I did I'll do that.

"The manager picks the team. The first-half performance was good from the lads, and I will just keep working hard and see what happens."

Defoe scored twice in last month's friendly against Holland, while his early-season performances for Tottenham have also been impressive.

He added: "I'm playing with good players, so obviously I'm going to get opportunities to score or get in positions to score.

"At the minute, everything seems to be going in - and I'm delighted."