England vs Scotland: Roy Hodgson Happy to Have Jack Wilshere Back, Expects Rooney to Play a Major Role

Aug 13, 2013 02:10 AM EDT
Jack Wilshere Theo Walcott Wayne Rooney England
Wayne Rooney looks to get past Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott during a training session for England ahead of their friendly against Scotland, August 12"

 

Roy Hodgson said he is delighted to have Jack Wilshere back in the England fold while confirming Wayne Rooney would indeed take part for England against Scotland on Wednesday, despite hardly featuring for Manchester United in preseason.

Wilshere was called up to the England squad despite Wenger's reservations over overplaying his little gem.

Hodgson, though, also understands the importance of Wilshere and will look to protect the player as much as possible in the game against Scotland.

"We are delighted to have him (Wilshere) back," Hodgson said. "I was talking to him today and asking about his preseason. He said it was the first one for two years and that he really needed it.

"I have not had the benefit of Jack for a qualifying match or an important match, I have only had him for one-and-a-quarter friendly matches.

"So we are pleased to have him back. We are aware of the fact that Arsene Wenger is careful with him at Arsenal and I will be careful with him as well.

"We are spoilt for choice in that we have enormous riches in the central midfield area.

"I was very pleased with Michael Carrick and Frank Lampard in the Brazil and Ireland fixtures and I am delighted with Steven Gerrard and Jack."

Rooney was the first to arrive at the training field on Monday and took part in the entire session with Hodgson saying the player was completely fit to face Scotland at Wembley.

"Good, just as I expected really," Hodgson said. "It's difficult to assess with the naked eye how match-fit people are but there's no doubt in my mind that he's not suffering from a physical injury.

"It will be interesting to get the feedback from our training sessions and we can see how he looks. We'll speak with Wayne tomorrow morning."

"Since he's got over the injuries he's not been able to train as intensively as we did today (Monday), so we'll see how that pans out.

"He tells me that he's been training on his own while Manchester United have had games, on some fitness work, but he hasn't had a chance to do a session like we had today where he was involved in functional aspects of play.

"I expect him to tell me that everything was fine and I expect him to get up fit and ready to go tomorrow morning (Tuesday) as well."

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