Jermain Defoe to be guest of honour at Bradley Lowery's birthday party

Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe will be guest of honour at the birthday party of Bradley Lowery - the young football fan who is battling a rare form of cancer.

Lowery's battle against neuroblastoma has touched the footballing world as he has appeared as mascot for both his beloved Sunderland and England.

Defoe has struck up a particularly close relationship with the five-year-old, and told CNN he has been invited to his upcoming birthday party.

Doctors believe Lowery's cancer is terminal after a new form of treatment failed, with his family now focusing on creating as many memories as they can.