 |
| Wayne Rooney will not start England's Spain clash |
WAYNE ROONEY is set to miss out as England face European champions Spain in Alicante on Friday.
The Three Lions skipper is being 'rested' according to boss Roy Hodgson, but question marks over his form will continue.
Rooney, Manchester United's top scorer in all competitions this season, has been under fire after a difficult start to the campaign.
The 30-year-old has scored just two Premier League goals for Louis van Gaal's side and he was subbed in their 2-0 win over West Brom.
The Dutch boss has however stuck by him, and Hodgson has too, but now it seems he's looking at his options ahead of next summer's Euros in France.
Hodgson said: “Wayne’s with me today because he’s the captain of our team, he’s the most important figure as a result, but he actually won’t start the game tomorrow.
“I’m telling you that because Wayne and I are very anxious that we’re not trying to fool anybody or bamboozle anybody when he’s sat alongside me.
"That’s for the very simple reason that we’re looking at various combinations. Wayne is pencilled in against France on Tuesday.”
Rooney said: "It's important in these games that the manager has the chance to see as many players as possible before next summer.
"There are lots of things to consider and hopefully the lads that come in can do well."
Jamie Vardy, having scored in nine consecutive Premier League games, is a doubt with a knock meaning Harry Kane will start ahead of Ross Barkley in a number 10 role.
"Jamie Vardy is struggling with a knock he picked up last Saturday," Hodgson added.
 |
| Rooney will miss out against Spain tomorrow night |
"I don’t want to talk about the team. We will use the two games to look at various combinations and groups of players.
"It will be good to spare the players playing in two games.
"It will be good to see how various groups are developing. Wayne and Vardy, Kane and Barkley are combinations I am interested in."
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus