England's captain, Wayne Rooney, has insisted he still has plenty to offer club and country as he nears a return from the knee problem that has kept him out for almost two months.
The Manchester United striker has not played since suffering ligament damage in February and he watched Tottenham's Harry Kane and Leicester's Jamie Vardy star in his absence during last week's friendlies against Germany and Holland. The England manager, Roy Hodgson, has indicated that the country's record goalscorer will be back in his side when he returns from injury and Rooney believes he deserves his place.
“I’ve still got a few years left I feel,” he told the PFA’s 4 The Player magazine in an interview which will be published on Monday.
“I’ll keep trying to, first and foremost, help the team be successful and, if I can score the goals to help achieve that, then that’ll be great.
“Over the last two years my form for England has been really good. I’ve scored a lot of goals. The record stood for more than 40 years, so to be the one to break it means a lot – and then for Sir Bobby [CHARLTON]to present me with the award as well, that makes it even more special. But it’s something I’m looking to expand now, I’ve got the record and I just want to carry on scoring as many goals as I can.”
Rooney is expected to feature for United’s Under-21 side in the next few days as he steps up his recovery having started light training last week. He scored five Premier League goals in seven appearances before injury struck and the 30-year-old admitted it has been a frustrating spell on the sidelines.
“I was playing really well before that injury so it could’ve been different but that’s in the past and you have to look forward,” he said.
“I think I’m a different player now from what I was then, so I don’t compare myself – I’m always just thinking about what comes next and making sure I’m at my best for the summer.”
The performances of Dele Alli and Eric Dier in the 3-2 victory against the world champions, Germany, in Berlin were among the encouraging signs for England last week and, with 109 caps, Rooney will be by far the most experienced player who travels to France this summer for Euro 2016. But he does not expect that to be a hindrance to their chances of progressing deep into the competition.
“It’s a young team and obviously as captain you want to get a strong bond between everyone and I really feel there is that at the moment, everyone gets on really well,” he said.
“There isn’t a massive age gap from the oldest to the youngest player. I think us and Holland were the youngest teams going through qualifying and I think that shows and helps the younger lads relax around everyone.
“There’s a lot of excitement among the players and I’m sure that will build as the tournament gets closer. I feel we’re in a good position.”
(Guardian service)
