Gareth Southgate has told Wayne Rooney he is to follow team orders as the interim England manager lets his skipper know who is boss
Raheem Sterling has pulled out of the national squad ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia as Andros Townsend comes in as a replacement
GARETH SOUTHGATE has told England skipper Wayne Rooney to obey team orders.
Previous Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce said Roo could play ‘wherever he wants to’.
But interim coach Southgate has held talks with his captain ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Malta.
And he declared: “We work on tactical discipline and positional discipline
so, whatever position you play, it is clear to the players that they understand that fully.”
Rooney, who will remain as captain, met Southgate on Friday.
Club boss Jose Mourinho has consigned England’s record scorer to the bench at Manchester United.
The Special One says hitman Roo will not play in midfield for him, as he has done for England.
Southgate added: “I don’t want to go against Jose but I think Wayne can play in any number of different positions.
“When I’ve been with the Under-21s, I’ve had lots of players who aren’t playing but we are always looking at what’s our best team.
“If they aren’t playing, that’s not ideal. However, is that player still in your best team?
“The decision with Wayne is who is the best leader for this moment and there’s no reason to change that.”
In Allardyce’s one game, against Slovakia, Rooney was supposed to be a No 10 but kept dropping back.
One option for Saturday’s Wembley date with Malta would be to play Rooney even deeper in midfield — like he did at Euro 2016 — with Dele Alli in an offensive role.
Rooney and the rest of the England squad will report to St George’s Park this morning.
And Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend will be heading to the Midlands as a replacement for Raheem Sterling.
Manchester City flier Sterling has pulled out with a calf injury. Saturday’s game is the first of four for Southgate, who has stepped up from being Under-21 chief.
He also has World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Scotland, before Spain visit for a friendly on November 15.
A decision is then due to be made on a permanent Three Lions boss.
Southgate said: “I am really looking forward to the challenge. I am honoured.
“But I am also not here to be a tourist.
“I am not just here to enjoy it and say ‘oh, isn’t it wonderful’. I want to deliver the results everybody wants.”
Southgate says preparing for senior games is similar to life as the Under-21s manager.
He added: “The week is the same, the way we prepare the team. The only difference is the profile of the players and the age of the players.”
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