Hodgson is without 15 regulars for England’s friendly in Spain on Friday because of injury.
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Sheringham’s suggestion certainly seems sensible, and withdrawing Rooney to a deeper role-where he could be more consistently involved with the play-could well bring the best out of him once again.
However, captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas believes Spain are still feared around Europe having claimed three consecutive major tournament victories, including the 2010 Federation Internationale de Football Association World Cup, before their flop in Brazil.
England and defending champions Spain step up their preparations for next year’s European championships when Roy Hodgson’s men travel to Alicante tomorrow (HK time) defending a proud unbeaten run.
Leicester’s Jamie Vardy is likely set to sit out tonight’s friendly match against Spain.
Despite Vardy’s absence, Wayne Rooney will not start.
To mark the auspicious occasion, Hart’s parents have travelled to the Estadio Jose Rico Perez to see their son achieve one of the game’s biggest honours. He said: “There was no reason behind (resting Rooney)”.
“With Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott out injured, but in contention for Euro 2016, Rooney knows he can not be complacent – especially as he faces greater scrutiny than ever about his own form and fitness”, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Wayne Rooney has said he faces a “huge challenge” to keep his place in England’s starting line-up and hailed their current crop of forwards as the “best group of strikers” he has played with.
Hodgson will start Ross Barkley behind Kane and may pair Chris Smalling and Phil Jones in central defence ahead of vice-captain Gary Cahill and John Stones.
Rooney added: “I think there has always been competition”.
Lancaster left his post as head coach of England’s rugby union team on Wednesday after his side went out of the Rugby World Cup in the group stage.
The 2010 world champions went on to win Euro 2012, conceding only one goal in the tournament and thrashing Italy 4-0 in the final while England were knocked out by the Italians on penalties in the quarter-finals. “Let’s hope that those days are over and from now on when he comes in he will be able to play just like on this occasion”.
“Anything is realistic if you put the hard work into it and really dedicate yourself to the football and work hard in training and on a matchday, then anything is possible”.
Hodgson is reluctant to experiment too much given the calibre of opposition. “Hopefully, we can do well in these games and get a win”.
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“I want to be scoring goals, goals, and more goals”, he said.
