Skip to main content

Rooney left out of Eng squad in latest blow

Wayne Rooney is England’s record goalscorer with 53 goals and their most capped outfielder with 119 appearances © AFP / Miguel RIOPA

LONDON, United Kingdom, May 25 – Wayne Rooney’s international career looks over after England’s all-time top-scorer was Thursday left out of the squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland and a friendly in France.

The 31-year-old striker has lost his place at Manchester United and was similarly omitted from Gareth Southgate’s England squad announced in March, although he was carrying a knee injury at the time.

Fit-again Rooney, who made a brief appearance in Manchester United’s Europa League final win over Ajax in Stockholm on Wednesday, had hoped to end his international career by captaining England at next year’s World Cup in Russia.

But this now looks an increasingly forlorn hope for Rooney, England’s record goalscorer with 53 goals and their most capped outfielder with 119 appearances for his country.

His United career could also be over having fallen down the pecking order under manager Jose Mourinho.

Thursday’s squad announcement saw Southgate opt for the likes of Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford and Jermain Defoe instead of Rooney in attack.

The 19-year-old Rashford, who started for United against Ajax, has inherited the mantle of “teen sensation” that used to belong to Rooney and his inclusion in the senior squad means he will not feature for the England Under-21s in this year’s age-group European Championships.

Kane’s call-up is the first time the Premier League’s golden boot winner has been included in one of Southgate’s England squads, with the Tottenham Hotspur striker having missed all six of the manager’s previous matches in charge through injury.

Kane’s club colleague Kieran Trippier has received a first England call-up after impressing for the Premier League runners-up, with Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson and West Ham United’s Aaron Cresswell also included in a 25-man squad.

England face oldest rivals Scotland in a World Cup qualifier at Glasgow’s Hampden Park on June 10 before travelling to Paris for a friendly three days later.

England squad: Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Torino/ITA, on loan from Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United), Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Jake Livermore (West Bromwich Albion), Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Sunderland), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)

Comments

What's Trending..

Kenyans still STUNNED after seeing KSH 18 MILLION IN BAGS after drug barons were arrested (photos)

Five drug baron suspects, including a female law student who is said to be a girlfriend of one of the two Seychellois deported on Saturday, were arrested after an operation in Mombasa and Kilifi counties - They were carrying the money in suitcases - Four vehicles belonging to the suspects are also being detained for further investigations Over KSh 18 million (About N54m) in cash and 17 kilogrammes of drugs worth KSh 170 million (N517m) have been nabbed after Police arrested five more suspected drug barons on Sunday 12, February. The five suspects, including a female law student who is said to be was a girlfriend of one of the two Seychellois deported on Saturday, were arrested after an operation in Mombasa and Kilifi counties. They were carrying the money in suitcases. "Two of the suspects were arrested with two kilogrammes of the drugs while the others were seized with 15 kilos of the drugs which was being hidden at a house in Bamburi for local distribu...

MUSIC DOWNLOAD: Selebobo Ft. Davido – Waka Waka

Made Men Music Group unveils a massive collaboration with the release “Waka Waka” by Selebobo featuring Davido. Following the massive success of the Yemi Alade assisted “Conquer”; the amazing Selebobo teams up with Davido for yet another smashing single christened “Waka Waka”. The groovy mid-tempo fits in perfectly in Selebobo’s gallery of musical masterpieces; and is a volcanic hit waiting to erupt. “Waka Waka” is available on all music stores and platforms. Enjoy! https://sites.google.com/site/teanaijablogspotcomaudio/home/teanaija-music/Selebobo-Waka-Waka-feat.-Davido.mp3?attredirects=0&d=1

Kaffy Sets to Host Dance Workshop Across Nigeria

Nigeria has gotten to the point where her performing arts industry plays a pivotal role in the socio-cultural and economic life of her citizens. Over the years, the art of dance has gradually evolved from being a hobby to a professional career for a handful of youths spread across the country. Mrs. Kafayat Shafau-Ameh popularly known as Kaffy ‘The Dance Queen’ who broke the Guinness book of world record for the longest dance party in 2006 is set to create more opportunity for talented youths. Kaffy has performed in major concerts locally and internationally. She has featured in music videos for A-list Nigerian musicians. She is also recognised as the voice of the future Nigerians through the art of dance. She recently choreographed the show ‘Love like a Movie’ by Dare Art-Alade and also performed with Ciara at the concert. Her relentless passion for her career, children, youth and women empowerment has made Kaffy a source of inspiration, great motivator a...