Wayne Rooney has confirmed the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be his last with England.

The Manchester United star, who is the Three Lions all-time top scorer scoring 53 times in 115 appearances, was confirmed as new boss Sam Allardyce's captain on Monday.

But speaking at a news conference ahead of the opening World Cup qualifier with Slovakia on Sunday Rooney confirmed he plans to call it a day in two years' time.

"Realistically I know myself that Russia will be my last opportunity to do anything with England. Hopefully I can end my time with England on a high.

Wayne Rooney remains England skipper... (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

"I said before the Euros I enjoyed playing in this team, and that's the case still. There were some questions about whether I should stop playing, but I am looking forward to getting back on the pitch.

"I made my mind up before the Euros, whether we did well or not, that I was going to continue. I've had nothing to think about since then."

... but will call it a day after the next World Cup (
Image:
Getty)

He added: "My mind is made up... Russia will be my last tournament."

Having been deployed as a midfielder at Euro 2016, where England were sent packing by minnows Iceland, eyebrows were again raised when Allardyce's squad to face Slovakia included Rooney's name among the midfielders.

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Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

Allardyce moved to clarify Rooney's position in Monday's press conference, stressing he was still considered an attacking player, and the former Everton striker insists he is happy playing anywhere for his country.

"It's the manager's decision," added Rooney. "We haven't spoken about that, in the next few days we'll speak about it more, whether it's as a midfielder or attacker.

Rooney will hang up his international boots in 2018 (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

"It's only a day we've been together, but you can see he's a relaxed guy, and since we've been here the camp has been good. It's just a matter of getting on the training pitch.

"I'm looking forward to getting back on the pitch. We have bad memories from the last game obviously. We have to put it behind us.

"It was disappointing the way we went out of the tournament, you can't forget it, but it's a new era for us, a new manager."

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