Wayne Rooney's career with England's international squad may be coming to an end with Gareth Southgate's decision not to include him for their World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.

Rooney is healthy and available to play.

Southgate admitted that Rooney was unhappy about the decision but praised him for the “very mature” way he took the news. 

“We have to look at Wayne as a No10, which is his predominant role,” Southgate said. “In the last two games we’ve played Dele Alli there and we’ve played Adam Lallana there. Both are playing very well, scoring and assisting for their clubs. Ross Barkley has been playing very well for his club. So there’s competition. I can’t dress it up any other way. There are some very good players and it’s a battle to get in this squad.”

Rooney, he said, had been disappointed but understood the reasons. “I don’t think he expects, if he is not playing every week for his club, to be picked in this sort of situation.”

Rooney has been captain for two and a half years following Steven Gerrard's international retirement.