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Wayne Rooney's England career over, says Sir Geoff Hurst

Wayne Rooney
Image: Wayne Rooney's England career should be over, says Sir Geoff Hurst

Sir Geoff Hurst has urged Gareth Southgate not to recall Wayne Rooney for the upcoming England squad.

Rooney scored his 200th Premier League goal, and his second in two Premier League games since returning to Everton, as they drew 1-1 against Manchester City on Monday, before later revealing he has talks planned with England boss Southgate in the next few days.

But Hurst, whose hat-trick fired England to their only World Cup title in 1966, insisted Southgate should not be moved into a first recall in five England games for Rooney - the nation's record goalscorer - when they face Malta and Lithuania in next month's World Cup Qualifiers.

Neville on Rooney's England future
Neville on Rooney's England future

Gary Neville insists there is no reason why Wayne Rooney can't still have an important role to play for England.

"He [Southgate] has made some bold decisions and I think the bold one he can make is, for me, to say it's the end of Wayne Rooney's international career," said Hurst.

"He has been an absolutely fantastic player. At club level he wasn't playing regularly for Manchester United last season, which is an indication - and if you are not playing regularly at club level you certainly should not represent England in my opinion.

"I wouldn't necessary call it a bold decision to not play Wayne Rooney anymore, but if I were in charge of the national team I would call Wayne up and say, 'thanks very much'.

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Manchester City 1-1 Everton

"He has been a fantastic player, one of the greatest players in this country but old Father Time, and I have been there as a striker, comes where you lose a bit of sharpness and I think his time playing for England is over."

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Despite Rooney's uplift in form, Hurst believes the 31-year-old's return to the England squad would only hinder the prospect of younger players coming through.

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Wayne Rooney gave his post-match reaction to the Monday Night Football team and admitted Everton were left frustrated after throwing away a 1-0 lead.

"He has got to play a lot of games and I am delighted for Wayne going back to a club he loves," he added. "But he has to be playing over a long period of time to be successful and selected.

"If he does it for half a season, where he's scoring goals and playing well, then maybe he could argue his case but then he's still another half a season down the road and him coming back into the squad might then be a distraction, particularly if they have done well."

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Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater is asked whether Wayne Rooney is proving he can still play for England

Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater believes Rooney's performance against his former club is proving the forward could still make England's squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, though.

Asked if Rooney has given Southgate a selection headache, Goater told Sky Sports News: "Yes, because he's got huge experience.

"Southgate is developing a young squad but there is no one with more experience than Wayne Rooney.

"As long as he continues this form then why not? He knows it, he's seen it, he can advise players. He'll be a great player to have among the squad if he continues his performances."

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