New England manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed that Wayne Rooney is set to remain in the role of England captain despite the managerial change.
The Manchester United attacker was handed the captain’s armband back in 2014 when he was selected to take over from Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard.
“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,” Allardyce told England FA’s website.
“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.”
If the 30-year-old is selected for England’s World Cup qualifier at the weekend he will become the most-capped outfield player overtaking former teammate David Beckham, sitting second only to Peter Shilton.
Allardyce has confirmed Rooney will be used as a forward under his tenure as England boss.
“It may be that Wayne is listed as a midfielder, but he is playing behind the frontman at Manchester United and that, for me, puts it where he has started,” Allardyce said.
The former Sunderland boss will hope to get his Three Lions career off to the perfect start when they host Slovakia on Sunday (London Time).
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