Roy Hodgson ‘delighted’ to see Wayne Rooney back in United forward roleRoy Hodgson said he was delighted to see Wayne Rooney back up front for Manchester United, and suggested he would not give Harry Kane his England debut as a starter in Friday night’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley.The England manager promised that Kane, who is in the senior squad for the first time, would feature at some point against either Lithuania or Italy in Tuesday’s friendly but he refused to be drawn any further.
Daniel Sturridge has withdrawn from the squad and Hodgson revealed a scan had shown a slight tear to the muscle in the Liverpool striker’s hip, which sounded ominous and more serious than previously discussed. Hodgson said Sturridge was “absolutely devastated” at the setback.
Rooney will start against Lithuania, as he closes in on Sir Bobby Charlton’s England goalscoring record of 49 – the captain has 46 from 101 caps – and Hodgson faces a straight choice between Danny Welbeck and Kane. It is understood he will prefer Welbeck, on the left side in a 4-3-3 formation, with Raheem Sterling on the right. His midfield trio is expected to comprise Michael Carrick, Jordan Henderson and Fabian Delph.
“Welbeck is still very much in contention as is Rooney, who we are delighted to see playing up front again for Manchester United because we have always used him as a front player,” Hodgson said.
“There have been quite a few times during my time as the national team manager when someone has burst on to the scene [as Kane has done] and, despite the fact that they are young, there is a clamour for them to be thrust straight in. I’d like to think I don’t succumb to that or, if I do pick them, that I’m merely making a populist decision.
“I can see him [Kane] making his full senior debut over the course of these next two games but that is not an awful lot to give you.”
On Sturridge, Hodgson said: “I am a little bit disappointed for him because when he came to us, he didn’t really feel that the slight problem he felt was really any problem at all. When we did the scan and it turned out that there was a problem he was absolutely devastated, because he didn’t want to leave us. There was no option because he has a slight tear and you can’t play through that.”
Rooney has been restored to his normal position as a striker at United in recent weeks, having previously been used by the manager, Louis van Gaal, for a spell in midfield. The England captain, too, spoke of being delighted to be back up front and it was plain that he had merely been gritting his teeth to do a job for United in the deeper-lying position.
“When you play as a centre-forward, you want to score goals, so I’m pleased I’m doing that,” Rooney said. “I actually spoke with the manager [Van Gaal] and he thought it was better for the team for me to play in midfield. So that’s what I did. I played there.
“I’m sure in other games he might put me back in midfield but I’m delighted to be playing up front and scoring goals. It’s helping us win football matches. It’s a role I know I can play [in midfield] and I’ve said that many times. But as a centre-forward, your job is to try and score goals. Thankfully, I’ve gone back up front and I’m doing that.”
England trained at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground on Thursday morning and Hodgson said he had spoken at length to Mauricio Pochettino, the club’s manager, over Kane’s potential involvement in the European Under-21 Championship in the summer. A related issue is whether Kane will first travel to Sydney, and possibly Malaysia, at the end of the season for showpiece friendlies with Tottenham.
“If Gareth [Southgate, the Under-21 manager] makes it clear he wants Harry to be in the squad, I am sure he will [go],” Hodgson said. “I also spoke to Daniel Levy [the Tottenham chairman] not so long ago and the so-called problematic tour they will have at the end of the season is not problematic for me.”
Hodgson said he would consider sending Sterling and James Milner back to Liverpool and Manchester City respectively after the Lithuania tie, effectively excusing them from the Italy game, as they have toe and knee problems. Hodgson also heard Rooney suggest the Football Association should offer him a longer-term contract. The manager’s current deal expires after the Euro 2016 finals.
“That’s down to the FA and Roy but since I’ve worked with him, he’s been fantastic for me,” Rooney said. “Hopefully, they can sort something out and we’ll have a few more years with him.”
By David Hytner / Echo
