Wayne Rooney: 'I never take my England place for granted'

England captain Wayne Rooney has insisted that he has never taken his place in the national team for granted, amid heightened competition for a place in the Three Lions attack.

Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge are all vying for a spot in the team ahead of Euro 2016, and the Manchester United striker is embracing the friendly rivalry with his teammates.

"As I have said throughout my career at Man United and England I never take my place for granted," he told ITV Sport.

"Obviously you want to play, and it is great that competition is there. The quality we have got, it is exciting to be part of it.

"I can't wait to get fit and be back out there with the lads. It is something I enjoy doing and I want to keep doing and I want to keep going and get ready."

Rooney sat out of England's 2-1 friendly defeat to the Netherlands on Tuesday evening through injury.