MX23RW : Tuesday, April 16 15:17:31| >> :600:865976:865976:

Wayne Rooney and Callum Wilson named in England squad

Rooney is set to feature against the United States but not against Croatia.

Wayne Rooney heads a squad named by England manager Gareth Southgate for the upcoming games against the United States and Croatia – with Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson called up for the first time.

The return of record goalscorer Rooney has split opinion, with the 33-year-old set to collect a 120th cap in the November 15 friendly against the US to honour his Three Lions career.

Rooney has not played for his country for almost two years and Press Association Sport understands he will make a late substitute appearance in a game which will be known officially as the Wayne Rooney Foundation International.

He is not in contention for the Nations League clash with Croatia three days later.

Southgate revealed talks over Rooney's involvement have been going on for a year, ever since his international retirement.

"There have been ongoing discussions since Wayne retired about paying tribute to him and his England career," said the manager, who added Rooney had declined an opportunity to be honoured ahead of the World Cup so as not to take the attention away from those going to Russia.

"Those discussions started 12 months ago. We have an opportunity with the game at Wembley to pay tribute.

Gareth Southgate has been working with Wayne Rooney to honour his career
Gareth Southgate has been working with Wayne Rooney to honour his career (Mike Egerton/PA)

"I am still able to look to the future with the squad we've picked, but we've talked a lot about the history of the shirt.

"We have brought former players back to speak and present shirts. I think all the players respect Wayne's contribution and that he deserves the best possible send-off."

Wilson, who has scored six Premier League goals so far this season, is rewarded with a maiden call-up to the senior ranks.

Midfielders Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard return after being ruled out of last month's Nations League double-header against Spain and Croatia through injury – with youngsters Mason Mount and James Maddison dropping out.

A 3-2 win in Seville followed a draw in Croatia, meaning England must wait on the result of the meeting between their Group Four rivals before they know what rests on their final Nations League game.

Relegation to League B or progression into the finals of the inaugural tournament both remain possibilities ahead of Spain's trip to Zagreb.

Alex McCarthy, Luke Shaw and Danny Welbeck are also included, having been forced to withdraw from the previous squad due to minor injuries.

Everton defender Michael Keane is included in an England squad for the first time in 12 months, with uncapped Brighton centre-back also retaining his place.

Jadon Sancho, who became the first player born since 2000 to play for England when he came off the bench against Croatia, is also among the squad having scored four goals in his last five games for Borussia Dortmund.

Jadon Sancho is named again
Jadon Sancho is named again (Tim Goode/PA)

Wilson, who has scored six Premier League goals so far this season, is rewarded with a maiden call-up to the senior ranks.

Midfielders Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard return after being ruled out of last month's Nations League doubler-header against Spain and Croatia through injury – with youngsters Mason Mount and James Maddison dropping out due to fitness concern.

Alex McCarthy, Luke Shaw and Danny Welbeck are also included, having been forced to withdraw from the previous squad due to minor injuries.

Everton defender Michael Keane is included in an England squad for the first time in 12 months, with uncapped Brighton centre-back also retaining his place.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Mark Mann-Bryans, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'cecde735-1483-4b36-b99e-a9bfdcf4800f');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Wayne Rooney and Callum Wilson named in England squad'});

ID:340947: cacheID:340947:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:10511:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Wayne Rooney appears for DC United against the Vanncouver Whitecaps on July 14, 2018
Read Next:
Ticket sales will not form part of FA donation to Wayne Rooney charity
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!