Indeed Hodgson, while lauding the 30-year’s status in his young squad, reiterated that he had “never said he’s an automatic starter” as Rooney faces strong competition from Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy with Theo Walcott – whose place appears the most vulnerable – also in this squad. “Does he [Rooney] have a good chance with his track record, ability and experience? Of course he has,” Hodgson said.

“But that doesn’t necessarily mean he will be. He might not have recovered to the best of his ability, or we might want to use different players or play a different way. But he’s our captain. He’s been very important in that job in the last few years, and we need his influence and ability on the field. But that will have to be proven on the field of play. Wayne Rooney realises that. He knows that, if I think others are better or the right men to play in a particular way, he’ll accept that because he’s a footballer, our leader and our captain. If he’s fit, he’ll go. But not as an automatic starter.”