Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney has pulled out of England's squad for Tuesday's friendly with Spain at Wembley due to a knee injury.
The 31-year-old will instead return to club side United for treatment on what Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate describes as a "minor issue".
Rooney skipped Monday's training session as a result of the knock, with Southgate revealing in today's press conference that the versatile forward would not start against Spain and captaincy duties would instead be handed to Jordan Henderson.
England have now taken the decision to send Rooney, who hit form prior to the international break by scoring one and laying on two in United's win over Swansea City, back to Old Trafford ahead of schedule.
The Three Lions are also without Harry Kane for the midweek friendly with the 2010 World Cup winners, which is likely to mean a start up front for Leicester City's Jamie Vardy, who has gone 14 games without finding the net for club and country.
Daniel Lewis
