Injured Wayne Rooney will miss England’s final two Euro 2016 qualifiers

• Gary Cahill to captain the side unless Manchester United forward recovers
• Theo Walcott could be deployed in a central striking role to fill the gap

Posted Thursday, October 08, 2015 by theguardian.com

Wayne Rooney picked up a minor injury in Manchester United's 3-0 defeat by Arsenal and is unlikely to be risked by England with Euro 2016 qualification already secured.

Rooney, who is due to collect his Golden Boot before the game from Sir Bobby Charlton, missed training for the second day running when England held their latest session at St George’s Park and, though he stayed with the squad as captain, there is an acceptance behind the scenes there is no point risking him when the team have already qualified. Rooney picked up a relatively minor injury during United’s 3-0 defeat at the Emirates and, barring an unexpected recovery, he will not be involved when England play the last home game of the Euro 2016 qualifying group stages.

Danny Ings, who had been hoping to make his England debut, is a doubt after missing the last two training sessions and Jonjo Shelvey was another absentee.

Gary Cahill will take the captain’s armband if Rooney is missing and Walcott is hoping his performance against United may have persuaded Hodgson to give him a chance at establishing himself as a striker for the national team.

“I have had to wait my time,” Walcott said. “It has been well documented I have wanted to play up front and Arsenal have given me the opportunity, which is great. It is taking that form into England and trying to stay there, that is the next goal in my career.

“I’ve played up front for Arsenal, so there’s an opportunity there, but again I can operate on the right, which I’ve been doing most of my career. Harry Kane has done very well for England. Danny Ings has come in and Jamie Vardy is the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League. We’re all completely different players so they are great options for a manager to have.”