Rooney excited for England swansong

WASHINGTON: Wayne Rooney says he is honoured to make a final appearance for England and happy for manager Gareth Southgate to decide his playing time on Thursday against the United States.

Former Manchester United star Rooney, in video comments released by his Major League Soccer club DC United, detailed his excitement at earning his 120th cap for England in his farewell match, a friendly against the Americans at Wembley Stadium.

“Playing on the squad for this game and see some old teammates, Gareth and the coaching staff, and then obviously to play at Wembley for the last time will be a great moment,” Rooney said.

INJURED REUS SITS OUT GERMANY TRAINING

LEIPZIG, GERMANY: Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus was forced to sit out with a foot injury as Germany were put through their paces in training Tuesday ahead of an upcoming friendly against Russia.

The 29-year-old playmaker bruised his foot on his way to scoring a brace for Dortmund in a 3-2 Bundesliga win over defending champions Bayern Munich on Saturday.

EX-ENGLAND PLAYER COLE CALLS IT A DAY

LONDON: Former England midfielder Joe Cole announced his retirement on Tuesday after making more than 700 appearances for seven clubs including West Ham and Chelsea.

Cole, who turned 37 last week, said his career had been “a dream come true” and he now hopes to move into coaching.

Cole was part of England’s so-called “Golden Generation”, playing alongside David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard, plus his Chelsea teammates John Terry and Frank Lampard.

Cole said in a statement: “After 20 years as a professional, the time has come for me to hang up my boots. It has been a dream come true. All of it.”

KLINSMANN’S SON IN US TEAM FOR FRIENDLIES

NEWYORK: Jonathan Klinsmann, the son of former American coach Jurgen Klinsmann, has been added to the US roster for exhibition games against England and Italy and could make his national team debut.