Southgate: Rooney has 'every chance' of playing for England

Enfield, United Kingdom - Gareth Southgate insists he hasn't fallen out with Wayne Rooney, as the England star battles to save his international career.

Southgate left Rooney out of England's squad for last week's friendly defeat in Germany and Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Lithuania due to the striker's knee injury and lack of first team action with Manchester United.

Rooney had already been dropped by Southgate in previous England matches, and his latest omission was widely interpreted as a sign the 31-year-old is no longer needed by his country.

But, speaking on Saturday, the Three Lions manager made it clear there is still time for Rooney to return to the fold.

"Absolutely. There's no reason he's finished with us," Southgate said when asked if Rooney had a future with England.

It was reported Rooney declined Southgate's invitation to attend a squad meeting on Monday because he was unhappy to have been dropped.

But United and the FA say Rooney was absent because he was having rehab for a leg injury, and Southgate played peacemaker as he pointed out other injured players who also missed the get-together.

"Wayne had to have treatment, so no problem from my point of view. The important thing wasn't that they couldn't come but they felt invited," he said.

After 14 years and 119 caps, Rooney, now a fringe figure at United, doesn't want his final act as an England player to be apologising for a reported late-night drinking session in between fixtures against Scotland and Spain last year.

England's leading international goalscorer would relish an emotional send-off in the style of Lukas Podolski, who scored Germany's winner against Southgate's side in what was his farewell match before retiring.

But Southgate is adamant Rooney can play a part in his plans on the road to next year's World Cup in Russia.

"I didn't understand why we were talking about tributes when he's still got every chance of being in the team," Southgate said.