Southgate leaves door open for Rooney return

ENFIELD, United Kingdom: Gareth Southgate insists he hasn’t fallen out with Wayne Rooney as the England star battles to save his international career.

Southgate left Rooney out of England’s squad for last week’s friendly defeat in Germany and Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Lithuania due to the striker’s knee injury and lack of first team action with Manchester United.

Rooney had already been dropped by Southgate in previous England matches and his latest omission was widely interpreted as a sign the 31year- old is no longer needed by his country.

But, speaking on Saturday, the England manager made it clear there is still time for Rooney to return to the fold.

“Absolutely. There’s no reason he’s finished with us,” Southgate said when asked if Rooney had a future with England.

It was reported Rooney declined Southgate’s invitation to attend a squad meeting on Monday because he was unhappy to have been dropped.

But United and the FA say Rooney was absent because he was having rehab for a leg injury and Southgate played peace maker as he pointed out other injured players also missed the get-together.

“Wayne had to have treatment, so no problem from my point of view. The important thing wasn’t that they couldn’t come but they felt invited,” he said. — AFP