New England boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will continue to captain the Three Lions.
The Manchester United ace has been in the role since Steven Gerrard retired from international football after the 2014 World Cup, and he led the side during their ill-fated Euro 2016 campaign.
The 30-year-old will now continue under Allardyce, with the former Sunderland boss insisting Rooney is the right choice to lead the team during their upcoming qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup.
“Wayne has been an excellent captain for England and the manner in which he has fulfilled the role made it an easy decision for me to ask him to continue,” said Allardyce.
“Wayne’s record speaks for itself. He is the most senior member of the squad and he is hugely respected by his peers. All of these factors point towards him being the right choice to lead the team.”
Rooney, who will become England’s most-capped outfield player of all time if he features in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Slovakia, was named as a midfielder when Allardyce announced his squad last week, but the 61-year-old insists he is yet to decide where his skipper will be deployed.
“It’s not a reflection of where I’m likely to play him,” Allardyce added.
“Shall we say attacking-midfielder? Or striker? I think Rooney’s position has changed at Manchester United and that’s where I’ll be looking to play him.”
England are available at 2.10 to begin their qualifying campaign with a victory, while Slovakia are on offer at 3.80 and the draw is priced at 3.25.
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