TRENT — England captain Wayne Rooney will return to the starting line-up for his country’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Scotland Friday, interim manager Gareth Southgate announced Thursday.
Rooney, 31, started on the bench in England’s last game, a 0-0 draw away to Slovenia, after losing his place in Manchester United’s starting XI.
But he has started United’s last two games, scoring from range in their 2-1 Europa League defeat at Fenerbahce last week, and will win his 119th cap from the start against Scotland at Wembley.
“He’s confident and I think experience in a game like this is important,” Southgate told reporters at the St George’s Park football center in Burton-on-Trent, central England.
“He’s in a better place than he was for the last get-together in terms of his sharpness, his confidence. There was no hesitation to be playing him.
“He’s playing well. He’s played well in his last couple of matches for Manchester United. When he’s in a rhythm of playing, that helps.”
Rooney takes the captain’s armband back from Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, who Southgate confirmed will start.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is also in contention to start after proving his fitness in training following his comeback from a seven-week lay-off with an ankle ligament injury.
Southgate said he had a fully fit squad to choose from and all 25 players at his disposal were present at the pre-match training session.
England is top of UEFA qualifying Group F after three games, two points above Lithuania and Slovenia and three points clear of old rivals Scotland.
England hosts Spain in a friendly Tuesday, for what will be the last game of Southgate’s four-match stint following the departure of previous manager Sam Allardyce.
British newspaper reports suggest Southgate will be given the role full-time provided England avoid embarrassment against Scotland, but he said he did not feel any pressure. “I’m really enjoying being in the role,” said the former England Under-21 coach.
“What happens to me is not important. We’ve got to win this game for the country and to be top of the group, heading to (World Cup hosts) Russia.
“That’s the task I was given. What happens to me is important to my family, but it’s not the reason and the focus for the game.
“I want the players to go out, enjoy their football and play well, and I’m sure they will.”
Southgate was reluctant to declare an interest in taking on the role full-time, but FA chief executive Martin Glenn is hopeful he will put his name forward.
“We get through the next two games and then we are going to put our heads together, talk to Gareth and really understand what his level of interest is in the role,” Glenn told reporters at the Sport Industry Breakfast Club in London.
“I hope he is interested and wants to put his hat in the ring. We have a bit of time then to assess him and then the other candidates.”
Ter Stegen, Gundogan to start for Germany
Marc-Andre ter Stegen will replace Germany captain Manuel Neuer for Friday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier at San Marino with Ilkay Gundogan to make his first international start for a year.
Barcelona’s goalkeeper Ter Stegen steps in with Neuer ruled out of the world champion’s qualifier against the tiny microstate because of a virus, and he will also sit out Tuesday’s friendly against Italy in Milan.
Juventus’ defensive midfielder Sami Khedira is expected to captain Germany against San Marino.
Gundogan, who has been in impressive form for the Citizens, and Wolfsburg striker Mario Gomez will both start the qualifier, head coach Joachim Loew has confirmed.
“I believe Marc-Andre ter Stegen will play tomorrow and (Bayer Leverkusen’s) Bernd Leno will play against Italy,” said Loew in Thursday’s press conference.
“Gundogan and Gomez will also start, as for the rest I have to see in training.”
Gundogan, who scored two goals in City’s recent stunning 3-1 Champions League win over Barcelona, has come off the bench in Germany’s last two qualifiers.
A dislocated knee ruled him out of Euro 2016 and he will make his first start for die Mannschaft since the 2-1 win over Georgia in October 2015 which booked Germany’s place at the European championships in France.
A heavy win is expected for Germany in its final qualifier of 2016 having already won its first three games to sit top of Group C.
San Marino is bottom of the table.
Germany romped to a 13-0 win in 2006 at Serravalle’s Olympic Stadium, the same ground which will host Friday’s qualifier.
However, San Marino has not been beaten by more than four goals in any of its three games so far.
