Southgate hit by Rooney no-show
ENGLAND skipper Wayne Rooney missed Gareth Southgate’s rousing speech to his men yesterday despite being invited.
Rooney was one of eight stars not at the FA’s base near Burton to hear the Three Lions boss tell his squad they can be the best in the world.
Southgate extended an invitation to 10 senior players that were not selected for tomorrow’s friendly in Germany and Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Lithuania, but only Stoke keeper Jack Butland made it to St George’s Park.
Sources close to Rooney insist his absence was not a snub to
Southgate and that he was at Manchester United’s training ground having planned treatment after suffering a knock to the back of his knee.
The names of the other eight are not known, but it seems certain the Three Lions boss will not be happy at the no-shows.
Rooney also did not feature in promotional pictures of England’s new blue third away kit which were released by the FA yesterday and will be worn tomorrow.
Rooney’s absence from the snaps will be seen by some as another indicator his England days are over.
Southgate last week offered no guarantees on the striker’s future. But the former Under-21s manager did deliver an uplifting speech and video presentation to fire up his men, with new boy James Ward-Prowse of Southampton revealing: “It was a very powerful message.
“We want to establish ourselves as a top team in the world.”
In the absence of Rooney and Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson, it is understood Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill will captain the side in Dortmund even though he is suspended for the Lithuania game. Germany keeper Manuel Neuer has been ruled out of tomorrow’s game with a calf injury.