Wayne Rooney to seek assurances over his England future after Gareth Southgate appointment

SKIPPER Wayne Rooney will seek assurances about his international career when he holds talks with new England boss Gareth Southgate this week.

Posted Thursday, September 29, 2016 by Dailystar.co.uk

Southgate has taken charge of the Three Lions for the next four games following Sam Allardyce’s sudden sacking.

Allardyce left his dream job in disgrace following a newspaper sting that caught him admitting he knew how to bend FA rules on third party ownership of players.

Now Southgate has been drafted in to pick up the pieces as the FA start their search for another new permanent boss.

Starsport understands Rooney is keen to speak to Southgate to discuss his role as captain and the team in general.

The Manchester United star was retained as Three Lions skipper when Allardyce took over - despite the team’s woeful campaign at Euro 2016.

But he has struggled to regain his best form since England started their World Cup qualification campaign.

It has sparked a debate over his best position at international level, or whether he should even still be in the team.

It remains to be seen if Southgate keeps Rooney on as captain and the duo are expected to approach the subject on Friday.

England’s next match is a World Cup qualifier against Malta at Wembley on October 8 and Southgate now has to pick a squad that will be announced on Sunday.

Meanwhile, United boss Jose Mourinho will not expose Rooney to the risk of more criticism tonight if his captain is not fully fit.

The United chief feels he needs to protect the under-fire striker, who has picked up a back injury this week.

Wayne Rooney to seek assurances over his England future after Gareth Southgate appointment
WORRY: Rooney will seek assurances from Southgate

Rooney, 30, was due to start the Europa League Group A clash against Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk after being dropped for United’s 4-1 win over Leicester on Saturday.

The Old Trafford boss said: “Wayne Rooney is selected (in the squad). I did not decide yet if I start with him.

"He didn’t train yesterday, he had a back problem. So today was the first time he had a training session with the other players and the intensity and complexity is obviously reducing because we have a game tomorrow.

"I was completely convinced of playing him tomorrow, but I am not sure if I do that because of the situation you created with him.

"He can’t afford to have a performance that is not really good. I am here to protect him and I have to analyse whether the best thing for him is to start the game if he is not totally ready.

"So I am going to discuss that with him and the medical staff and decide whether he starts or is on the bench.”