Wayne Rooney's playing time for England is over... Gareth Southgate should end his international career, believes Sir Geoff Hurst

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England legend Sir Geoff Hurst has urged Gareth Southgate to keep Wayne Rooney in the international wilderness.

The forward has scored two goals in as many Premier League appearances since returning to Everton this summer, leading to calls for him to be handed a place in the forthcoming England squad for the games against Malta and Slovakia.

However, Sportsmail understands there is a reluctance to hand Rooney a return to the international fold, with Southgate keen to look to the future.

Wayne Rooney shouldn't be in line for an England recall, believes Sir Geoff Hurst

Rooney has scored twice in as many Premier League games for Everton, so far this season

Yet, Sportsmail understands Gareth Southgate is a reluctant to hand him an England return

Hurst feels Southgate should make the 'bold' decision in ending the striker's England career

And 1996 hero Hurst believes Southgate should call time on Rooney's international career.

'He [Southgate] has made some bold decisions and I think the bold one he can make is, for me, to say it's the end of Wayne Rooney's international career,' said Hurst.

'He has been an absolutely fantastic player. At club level he wasn't playing regularly for Manchester United last season, which is an indication - and if you are not playing regularly at club level you certainly should not represent England in my opinion.

'I wouldn't necessary call it a bold decision to not play Wayne Rooney any more, but if I were in charge of the national team I would call Wayne up and say, "thanks very much".

'He has been a fantastic player, one of the greatest players in this country but old Father Time, and I have been there as a striker, comes where you lose a bit of sharpness and I think his time playing for England is over.'

Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah, as Sportsmail revealed earlier this month, is in contention for his first senior call-up when Southgate, who is also weighing up a recall for Danny Welbeck, names his squad on Thursday.

Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah is in contention for his first senior call-up