England manager Roy Hodgson has insisted that Wayne Rooney realises that he needs to fight for his place in the team ahead of the European Championship in France.
The England and Manchester United captain has been nursing a knee injury since mid-February, and is on the sidelines for the Three Lions’ international frendlies this month.
Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy were on the scoresheet for England in their thrilling 3-2 win over Germany on Saturday, and with the emergence of the duo, many are questioning whether Rooney should retain his status as an automatic starter.
And despite being England’s record goalscorer, Hodgson admits that Rooney is aware that he will be challenged for a spot in the starting eleven by the emerging crop of forwards.
The England manager told a press conference earlier today: "He's not making any claims that he should always be on the team sheet.
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“He realises there will be other players fighting.”
Rooney has 109 international caps to his name and is England’s all-time record goalscorer with 51 goals.
The forward is also just five shy of Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 249 goals for Manchester United.
