Gareth Southgate has confirmed Wayne Rooney is not going to be in the starting lineup when England take on the USA in a friendly.
Rooney has been included in the squad for this match as the former Manchester United striker is supposed to play his 120th match as a token of appreciation from the Football Association. It will also be his farewell match and all the money raised from this match will go to the Wayne Rooney Foundation.
Rooney’s call up to the Three Lions team raised a lot of eyebrows but all the players welcomed him to the side and the 33 year old is expected to make a brief appearance on Thursday at the Wembley Stadium.
Rooney last donned the White jersey in November 2016 against Scotland at this very same stadium.
Southgate said, “He wouldn’t wear the No 10 because he won’t start the game.
“In terms of the captaincy, the last game he came on [as a substitute] with me, Jordan Henderson gave him the armband as soon as he ran on the pitch.
So I guess that will depend on the circumstances around the game and the players that are on there but I have no issue with that at all.”
“As the manager, my involvement was: ‘Am I happy for him to play a part in the game?’ Yes.”
