Manchester United captain Rooney to miss England v Estonia

Barkley created Theo Walcott’s 45th-minute opener in Friday’s Group E game at Wembley with a beautifully weighted pass and went close to adding a second with a couple of mazy runs and shots before Raheem Sterling got on the score-sheet late on.

Hodgson will be looking to use this match to gauge the strength of his squad and understand how much the “fringe” players can do.

He said: “I think crowning it all would be winning the tournament but these are two games we’re going to look to win, like we’ve looked to win all the games so far”. The Everton star, who has been in fine form for his club recently, said: “I’m over the moon with my performance”.

“He’s been unlucky on a couple of occasions when he’s been pencilled in to play, but he’s had to leave us with injury”.

Slovenia has a three-point advantage over fourth-place Estonia and goes into the final qualifier at winless San Marino with a plus-nine goal difference.

Chris Smalling is likely to be a leading contender to captain what will be a youthful and experimental team that seek England’s first 100% European qualifying campaign.

The Spurs striker was given an opportunity to lead the line in Wayne Rooney’s absence as the hosts continued their flawless record in Euro 2016 qualifying courtesy of a solid, if not spectacular, collective display.

“Gary Cahill has occasional back problems and we were a bit concerned with: A, the flight and B, the artificial pitch”.

Walcott stated his desire to play up front today: “I know everyone would like to see me up front”.

The Manchester United captain sat out of Tuesday’s training ahead of the clash at the end of the week, and Rooney…

Stones missed the last two Everton games after suffering a knee injury in their Capital One Cup win over Reading on September 22. That’s coaching to make sure a player with incredible ability chooses his moments. “I’m pleased we didn’t”.

“He couldn’t play [against Estonia]. That shows the faith I have in him“. He said, “No, I’m not saying that”. “Jamie Vardy was only on a few minutes before setting up the goal so we’re very satisfied with victory”, he said. “Playing there for England, that’s what I want to do”.