The England
coach refuses to rule out using the striker in Wednesday's friendly against
Scotland, but is keen to maintain a good relationship with the new Manchester
United manager
Roy Hodgson is prepared to select Wayne Rooney for England,
but only if he is fit enough to play to avoid a bust-up with Manchester
United manager David Moyes.
The 27-year-old forward thanked the Three Lions coach on Facebook for "showing faith" in picking him despite a disjointed pre-season, with Goal exclusively revealing he has been banished to train with the reserves with Chelsea seeing two bid rejected for the striker.
And while Hodgson is keen to use Rooney against Scotland ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers in September and October, the 66-year-old is wary of potentially aggravating the forward's current injuries.
The 27-year-old forward thanked the Three Lions coach on Facebook for "showing faith" in picking him despite a disjointed pre-season, with Goal exclusively revealing he has been banished to train with the reserves with Chelsea seeing two bid rejected for the striker.
And while Hodgson is keen to use Rooney against Scotland ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers in September and October, the 66-year-old is wary of potentially aggravating the forward's current injuries.
"My selection of [Rooney] could be used
as a wedge between David Moyes and myself and there won't be any wedges put
between us two," he told Sky Sports News.
"We've been friends for a long time. David understands my situation fully and put simply we have four very important games coming up.
"I haven't seen the players since we left Brazil three months ago and it's important for me to have them around.
"And even if they can't play full parts in the game - or any part at all - I want them there for these two or three days because we are a squad, we are a team, we are a group."
Hodgson remained elusive on exactly how he would use Rooney were he to give him playing time, but emphasised the fact that he would only play a part if he was fit enough to do so.
"Just because someone at this time is not fully fit to play, it doesn't mean they are not going to be an important cog in the wheel come September.
"David and Wayne understand the situation. We'll make a decision. When Wayne comes we'll assess his physical fitness," he continued. "I know David won't mind him taking part in the game but we don't want to put Wayne on the field of play if he is not ready to play.
"The last thing I would want to do is send him back to his club injured and that goes for the rest of the players too."
"We've been friends for a long time. David understands my situation fully and put simply we have four very important games coming up.
"I haven't seen the players since we left Brazil three months ago and it's important for me to have them around.
"And even if they can't play full parts in the game - or any part at all - I want them there for these two or three days because we are a squad, we are a team, we are a group."
Hodgson remained elusive on exactly how he would use Rooney were he to give him playing time, but emphasised the fact that he would only play a part if he was fit enough to do so.
"Just because someone at this time is not fully fit to play, it doesn't mean they are not going to be an important cog in the wheel come September.
"David and Wayne understand the situation. We'll make a decision. When Wayne comes we'll assess his physical fitness," he continued. "I know David won't mind him taking part in the game but we don't want to put Wayne on the field of play if he is not ready to play.
"The last thing I would want to do is send him back to his club injured and that goes for the rest of the players too."
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