Rooney will return says Hodgson after England win

16 June 2012 10:17

England manager Roy Hodgson has vowed to pick Wayne Rooney, who has now served his two-match ban, for his side's crucial final group game against Ukraine next week.

Rooney will take up a deep-lying striker role working off either Carroll or Welbeck for what is certain to be a demanding assignment against the Ukrainians at Donetsk's Donbass Arena, with Ashley Young moving left.

"I think with Wayne Rooney coming back into the team he will play in his position which is as a striker who drops deep and receives the ball.

"Ashley Young, who did the job for us in Wayne's absence, I'm thinking of more as a wide player, which is his natural position," Hodgson said.

Hodgson declined to elaborate on how he plans to approach the game, which could see England afford to play for the draw in the knowledge they will advance.

Source: AFP