Chris Smalling backs Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney to make England return, insisting 'he has still got a long way to go in his career'
- Wayne Rooney was dropped from squad for games with Scotland and France
- Manchester United team-mate Chris Smalling backs Rooney to return to team
- Smalling says the absence of Rooney is a 'big miss' ahead of Scotland game
- England news: Follow all the latest ahead of Saturday's match with Scotland
The absence of Wayne Rooney from the England squad ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Scotland is a 'big miss' but Manchester United team mate Chris Smalling said the forward's international career is far from over.
Rooney, England and United's record goal scorer, was dropped from manager Gareth Southgate's squad after an inconsistent domestic season, where he made just 25 starts and 14 substitute appearances.
'Wayne is a big miss because of who he is but hopefully he will be back,' Smalling said. 'I think his numbers speak for themselves and he's still got a long way to go in his career.
Manchester United's Chris Smalling claims Wayne Rooney's England career is far from over
Smalling has been speaking ahead of England's World Cup qualifier with Scotland on Saturday
'Whenever he makes up his mind what he's going to do next, I hope he can pull on that England shirt again and score some more goals.'
Smalling wasn't the only United team-mate to back Rooney to fight his way back, with Marcus Rashford saying that he has a 'massive influence' on the England squad.
Rashford said: 'Knowing Wayne and the ability he has, he's still got a lot to do in his career and there are a lot of trophies England hope to be playing for.
'Wayne is a massive influence around the whole squad and I'm sure his international career is not over and he'll be back fighting for many trophies.'
Rooney has netted 253 goals for United and 53 for England.
Marcus Rashford also believes United team-mate Rooney can fight his way back into squad
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