England boss Roy Hodgson has denied suggestions that he is prepared to axe Wayne Rooney from this summer's Euro 2016 squad, but admits that he has doubts over his captain's fitness.
The Manchester United forward has been out of action for the past month with a knee injury sustained during the 2-1 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Rooney was this week pictured walking without a supportive brace on his leg for the first time, but is still unlikely to return to action before April - shortly before Hodgson names his squad for the Euros.
Despite talk of Rooney's best days being behind him, the Three Lions manager is adamant that the 30-year-old still has a major role to play for his country should he be deemed fit enough to feature.
"He is our captain, he is our most experienced player," Hodgson told talkSPORT. "He's not missed one squad of the last eight squads and he has never let us down.
"I'm not prepared to say categorically about any players at this stage that they will go, but I certainly will dismiss any discussions about Wayne Rooney and whether or not he should go. My only fear is that he won't recover in time from his injury, but it's a minor fear."
Rooney has scored 17 goals in 36 appearances for club and country so far this season, including seven in nine prior to his latest injury setback.
Daniel Lewis
