England manager Roy Hodgson insists captain Wayne Rooney is still a major part of his Euro 2016 plans – even though his side beat World Cup holders Germany without the striker. Manchester United forward Rooney was sidelined by a knee injury as Hodgson’s team came from two goals down to win Saturday’s friendly 3-2, with the younger generation flourishing in his absence in Berlin.
Tottenham’s 19-year-old Dele Alli was man of the match and his partnership with club-mate Harry Kane continued to develop as the striker, 22, scored the goal that started England’s comeback.
Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy increased the pressure on Rooney’s place with his first England goal but Hodgson said: “I have to repeat Wayne is our captain and he has captained the team extremely well in the past two years.
