Wayne Rooney happy with England midfield role

Skipper says he's enjoying his new position.

Published 20th Jun 2016

Rooney is yet to score at Euro 2016, but netted twice when England beat Slovakia 4-0 in 2009 in their last meeting and says he’s enjoying trying to create chances for the strikers.

Captain Wayne Rooney has so far been deployed in midfield, with Harry Kane leading England's attack.

The Manchester United man said: “They are great to have in the squad. Everyone has seen the quality of players we mentioned before the tournament. Whoever the manager decides to play is his choice, but we have players who can come on and change games.”

During England’s last match against Wales Daniel Sturridge scored the injury-time winner against Wales after coming off the bench at half-time. Leicester's Jamie Vardy also netted when he was brought on, but Roy Hodgson insists he will not make changes for the sake of it, despite the duo's second-half impact.

The England boss also says he is relaxed over his future after Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said he could keep his job if the team reached the quarter finals at Euro 2016.

Hodgson's contract is due to expire at the end of the tournament in France.

Dyke said Hodgson's contract is likely to be renewed if England impress in France, but Hodgson remains focused on tonight’s game against Slovakia.

The England boss said:

“For myself and the players there is only one thing on our minds and that's to win the next game and see how far we can go."

“We concentrate on what we can do and what we can do is work very hard in our preparation for the game we are about to play. One day, after our stay here ends, the FA will need to make a decision with what they want to do in regards to the future.''

England are set to play Slovakia tonight kick off 8pm.