England manager Gareth Southgate has suggested that Wayne Rooney's move to Everton has increased his chances of being in contention for a Three Lions place.
The 31-year-old was overlooked by his country for June's World Cup qualifier against Scotland and a friendly against France, with the England boss saying that other strikers were simply in better form.
Rooney started just 15 of 38 Premier League games for Manchester United last season, scoring five goals, but Southgate is hopeful that he will be a far more central figure at Goodison Park this season.
"The great thing for Rooney is that he will probably be playing more regular football and so it's as simple as that," Southgate told the Evening Standard. "In the league we only have 70 English players, and so we certainly aren't ruling anybody out."
Rooney is both England's all-time leading goalscorer, with 53 in 119 appearances, and Manchester United's record marksman, with 253 in 559 appearances.
Giuseppe Labellarte
