Rooney left out ‘again’

LONDON, May 25, (RTRS): England’s record international goalscorer Wayne Rooney has been left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad for next month’s World Cup Group F qualifier away to Scotland and a friendly with France.

The 31-year-old forward, who has lost his place in Manchester United’s first team, was also left out by England earlier this year for matches against Germany a n d Lithuania.

Southgate named a 25-man squad which includes Tottenham Hotspur right back Kieran Trippier for the first time.

Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, who scored on his return to the international scene against Lithuania in March after a long absence, retains his place in Southgate’s plans. Squad: Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United), Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Jake Livermore (West Bromwich Albion), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Strikers: Jermain Defoe (Sunderland), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City).

Rooney