Hodgson guarantees Rooney’s Euro 2016 spot

England manager Roy Hodgson says Wayne Rooney will be a part of his Euro 2016 party as long as he is fit.

Rooney has been missing for club side Manchester United since mid-February with knee ligament damage and is expected to miss England’s upcoming friendly clashes with the Netherlands and Germany.

The striker has struggled for form this season and there is plenty of competition for places in the England attack, with the likes of Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Jamie Vardy all bidding to head to Euro 2016.

However, Hodgson has no intention of dropping his captain and England’s all-time leading scorer, and he insists that if fit Rooney will be in his 23-man squad.

He told talkSPORT: “I am not prepared to say categorically for many players at this early stage that this player will go, but I certainly will dismiss any discussions about Wayne Rooney and whether he should or shouldn’t go, because he deserves to be there.

“My only fear is that he won’t recover in time from his injury. I think it is a minor fear, because everyone tells me he should be fine, but that for me would be the only doubt.”

England open their Euro 2016 campaign on June 12 against Russia and they are 2.20 to kick off their tournament with a win. Russia can be backed at 3.10 and the draw is 3.10.

England are 11.00 to win Euro 2016 outright.