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Wayne Rooney will captain England in the World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Wembley on Friday, says interim manager Gareth Southgate.
The 31-year-old forward and skipper was dropped for the previous game, a 0-0 draw in Slovenia last month.
“He’s in a better place than for the last get-together in terms of sharpness and confidence,” said Southgate.
“He’s an experienced player for a game like this and there is no hesitation to be playing him.”
Rooney, England’s record scorer with 53 goals, has won 118 caps, but was also dropped by Manchester United this season.
However, he has started United’s past two games, scoring one goal.
He scored twice in England’s 3-1 win over Scotland in November 2014 in a friendly at Celtic Park, when the countries last met.
“He is playing well,” said Southgate. “He’s a player when in a rhythm of playing, it helps him.”
England Under-21 boss Southgate was put in charge of the senior team for four games following the departure of Sam Allardyce after only one match.
Allardyce left following a newspaper investigation claiming he offered advice on how to “get around” rules on player transfers.
Under Southgate, England beat Malta 2-0 and drew with Slovenia in World Cup qualifiers.
After the match against Scotland, England meet Spain in a friendly at Wembley on 15 November.— BBC.
Online Reporter