MX23RW : Monday, December 23 19:30:55| >> :60:218:218:

Roy Hodgson tells Wayne Rooney: 'Save best form for World Cup'

England manager Roy Hodgson throws down the gauntlet to Wayne Rooney to replicate his performances for Manchester City at the World Cup next summer.

England boss Roy Hodgson has thrown down the gauntlet to Wayne Rooney to replicate his Manchester United form in Brazil for the World Cup next summer.

The 28-year-old has established himself as United's go-to man this season having bagged 10 goals and as many assists in all competitions - including a brace in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Hodgson is hopeful that the in-form marksman can reproduce his quality on the international stage with the Three Lions in June.

"He is playing fantastic. He's an outstanding player," said the 66-year-old. "I just wish I could turn the clock forward and keep him in this form, maybe bottle up what he is doing at the moment, and keep it on a shelf somewhere and release it in May and June.

"I have got to hope Wayne can keep up that good form and we see exactly the same in June as we are seeing at the moment - if we do we have got one major tool in our box."

Hodgson will discover who his team are paired with in the group stage of the competition on Friday, where unseeded England are guaranteed to clash with either Brazil, Spain, Germany or Argentina in the early stages of the tournament.

The draw will take place on Friday in Salvador, Brazil.

ID:121618: cacheID:121618:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2328:
Written by
Shane Callaghan
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Paul Scholes during a photoshoot for the documentary 'The Class of '92'
Read Next:
Video: Scholes scores from inside own half
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!