Thursday 24 August 2017 11:32, UK
Former England manager Roy Hodgson believes Wayne Rooney would answer a call to return to international football if he's needed.
Rooney, who picked up 119 caps and scored a record 53 goals, announced on Wednesday that he would be retiring from international football.
Speaking on The Debate, Hodgson said the Everton forward wouldn't hesitate to come back into the England fold if manager Gareth Southgate required the experienced striker at the World Cup in Russia next year.
"As you know, I'm not a gambling man and never have been, but if I was such a person I wouldn't put any money on Wayne, in that situation, refusing to come out of retirement, if it was put to him in that way, as I know what this country does mean to him in terms of playing international football," Hodgson said.
"One hopes for his sake and the country's sake that situation won't arise, but I feel sure if it came to that and Gareth went to him and said: 'We're in a terrible mess here and we really need you, will you come out retirement?' then I would be surprised if Wayne didn't say 'Yes'. But I don't know, I'm second guessing."
Hodgson also accepts that Rooney wouldn't want to end up wondering what he would potentially miss out on, considering the quality of player at Southgate's disposal.
The former Liverpool boss also thinks Rooney will have "lots of regrets" after announcing his retirement from international football during a qualifying campaign, especially as Hodgson suspects the current crop could peak in Russia at the World Cup next summer.
"I think he will have lots of regrets, as he knows how good this group of players, that have been put together over the last two or three years, can be and will be. He may think maybe in Russia they will show that and it would be nice to be there.
"All the more credit to him that he's made the decision based on his club football. You shouldn't talk someone out of that, he's not a guy who will make that decision lightly. And playing for England meant so much to him over the years."
Craig Bellamy also thinks Rooney wouldn't be able to resist the allure of returning with the prospect of going out on a high in Russia on the table if Southgate suffered an injury crisis, but the Welshman would prefer ]f the incumbent forward line got the job done.
"Of course he would, especially for a major tournament, if it comes around due to a player being injured, then I'm sure he would. Plenty of players have done it in the past.
"Hopefully for whoever is doing well for England at that time, whoever has helped them qualify for the World Cup in Russia, they get the opportunity to play in it because Wayne's done more than enough for England and has had his time."
