Bradley Lowery holds hands with England's Jermain Defoe prior to the World Cup Group F qualifying soccer match between England and Lithuania. Photo / AP
Bradley Lowery has sadly had to cancel a visit from best friend Jermain Defoe because he was too ill to see the Sunderland striker and didn't want his hero to "see him poorly".
The 5-year-old has captured the hearts of the football world during his brave battle against a rare
form of cancer, neuroblastoma. Defoe played a particularly prominent role in helping Bradley and his family in their time of need, according to the Daily Mail.
The youngster joined his favourite player and "best mate" to lead out the England team in their victory over Lithuania on Sunday, but three days later was too ill to take a visit from his friend.
A message written on the Bradley's Fight Twitter page said: "Brad is poorly he even cancelled a visit from his best friend as he didn't want him to see him poorly... (heartbreaking) to hear him say that."
Bradley has previously fallen asleep in the arms of the Sunderland forward in his hospital bed and expressed his joy when he found out Defoe would be leading the line for the Three Lions.
