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Roy Hodgson praises captain Wayne Rooney as England’s ultimate professional

“We hope the ceremonies will be respected”, the England manager said.

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Martial started the match at Wembley Stadium and impressed before being withdrawn, apparently unhurt, in the 67th minute, with Antoine Griezmann coming on in his place.

Roy Hodgson hailed Wayne Rooney as the “ultimate professional” after England’s captain accepted another new role in the clash with France.

He limped away “with his left foot bandaged after being injured in a tackle by Tottenham’s Dele Alli and France coach Didier Deschamps admitted he was in pain”, reports the Daily Mirror.

Martial has scored five goals for United since his £36million move from Monaco and, with strikers in short supply at Old Trafford, Louis van Gaal can not afford to lose the Frenchman for too long.

‘It meant asking Rooney to play in a slightly different position because I wanted to him, (Raheem) Sterling and (Harry) Kane on the pitch together.

“Is Martial indispensable? I do not think there is an indispensable player in this team”.

Early indications are that Martial should be fit for the trip to Watford tomorrow, where the Reds will look to put pressure on leaders Manchester City.

Young striker James Wilson, who has not featured since October’s Capital One Cup exit to Middlesbrough, has also been sidelined, along with defender Paddy McNair, who suffered an abdominal strain playing for Northern Ireland last month. “We have to get better, of course, but we are showing good signs and if we can keep improving, it is exciting for us”.

“I would never be able to pick a team on loyalty alone”. I would have to pick the best players at the time and against France someone like Dele Alli and Eric Dier, were really good.

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“We realised with all the players we have missing that there was going to be an element of experimentation in these two matches”.

Anthony Martial leaves Wembley on crutches