Wayne Rooney has been assured of his England place by interim boss Gareth Southgate regardless of whether he is playing for Manchester United.

The 31-year-old is in danger of becoming a fringe player under United boss Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford having been named as a substitute for three successive Premier League matches before he missed Sunday’s 4-0 drubbing at Chelsea because of injury.

He’s the England captain and, although he didn’t start in Slovenia, to me he is a hugely influential figure in that group and that won’t change.

Gareth Southgate

Rooney also started the Three Lions’ 0-0 World Cup qualification draw in Slovenia earlier this month on the bench before coming on in the second half.

There have been suggestions that Rooney’s ongoing struggle to feature at United could eventually see him overlooked for international duty.

But Southgate, who will take charge for the World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Wembley and the home friendly against Spain next month to wrap up his initial four-game caretaker spell offered to him by the Football Association following Sam Allardyce’s departure, insists Rooney remains a big part of his plans.

He said: “He’s the England captain and, although he didn’t start in Slovenia, to me he is a hugely influential figure in that group and that won’t change.

“I thought his leadership qualities in the 10 days with us shone through. I could see how he’s held in the eyes of the rest of the players and the positive influence he has in that environment.”

England are 4/9 to defeat Scotland in their qualifier on 11th November, while the Scots can be backed at 6/1 and the draw is 10/3.

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Source: bet365.com

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