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Wayne Rooney left out of England squad to face Scotland and France, throwing his international future in doubt

Rooney has been dropped from the England squad for the first time

Jack de Menezes

Thursday 25 May 2017 17:29 BST

Wayne Rooney has been dropped from the England squad for the first time in his career (Getty)

Wayne Rooney has been left out of the England squad that will face Scotland in a 2018 World Cup qualifier and France in an international friendly next month, putting the captain’s future with the national team into serious doubt.

Less than 24 hours after lifting the Europa League trophy with Manchester United, Rooney has been dropped from the England squad for the first time since making his debut in 2003, having amassed a record 53 goals in 119 appearances, second only to Peter Shilton’s haul of 125 caps.

The 31-year-old has made just 15 starts for United in the Premier League this season, and has scored eight goals in all competitions this season, his lowest haul since joining United from Everton in 2004.

His lack of form and regular playing time appears to have swayed manager Gareth Southgate into dropping the striker, and with vice-captain Jordan Henderson also absent through injury, Chelsea defender Gary Cahill will likely lead the Three Lions in their matches at Hampden Park and the Stade de France.

“The Scotland game is one of football’s great fixtures,” Southgate said.

“We’re in a place in the group where a win can really put us in a very strong position, and that’s what we want to achieve.

Southgate has decided to leave out the current England captain (Getty)

“France is a great challenge for us. Our ambition with our friendly matches is to play the best possible teams – we’ve done that by playing Spain and Germany already. They’re teams we want to test ourselves against and these are great opportunities to learn and improve.

“A game away in the Stade de France will be a brilliant occasion for the players.”

England vs Lithuania player ratings

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1/13England vs Lithuania player ratings

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Joe Hart - 5 out of 10

Had absolutely nothing to do in the first-half, and yet still very nearly managed to fluff his lines. Haring off his line to punch a long pass clear, he was beaten to the ball by Nerijus Valskis and was relieved to see John Stones booting his header off the line.

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England vs Lithuania player ratings

Kyle Walker – 6 out of 10

Given license to press forward at every opportunity, Walker had a mixed first-half before growing into the game later on. He helped set up England's second goal with a good burst forward and almost set up Dele Alli for a third moments later.

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England vs Lithuania player ratings

John Stones – 7 out of 10

Has been increasingly impressive for Manchester City in recent weeks and continued his good form at Wembley. Like Keane he had very little work to do defensively but he was superb bringing the ball forward and starting England’s attacks. Incredibly, he barely misplaced a pass during the entire match.

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England vs Lithuania player ratings

Michael Keane - 6 out of 10

Had remarkably little to do in defence after a solid debut away to Germany on Wednesday night. Hit several inch-perfect diagonal passes. Looks like he belongs at this level.

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England vs Lithuania player ratings

Ryan Bertrand - 6 out of 10

Stationed so far forward that he often looked as if he was playing as a left-winger in a 4-3-3 system. Saw a lot of the ball in the first-half but occasionally wasteful in possession, and his final ball was often lacking. Unlikely to replace Danny Rose in Southgate’s staring XI when the Tottenham defender returns.

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England vs Lithuania player ratings

Eric Dier – 7 out of 10

Another assured display from England’s utility man. Showed great tactical awareness to regularly flit between a role in England’s defence and their midfield, and dealt confidently with Lithuania’s aerial threat. Very tidy with the ball at his feet.

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England vs Lithuania player ratings

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 6 out of 10

An industrious performance, albeit not groundbreaking in any way. When Southgate named his starting XI it was assumed Oxlade-Chamberlain would be deployed out wide but instead he sat in central midfield alongside Eric Dier. Saw a well-struck long-shot nicely saved in the second-half.

AFP/Getty Images

England vs Lithuania player ratings

Adam Lallana – 8 out of 10

Comfortably England’s best player. Ran confidently between the lines to draw out Lithuania’s deep defence and hit a number of impressive in-swinging crosses into the box to test their goalkeeper. Set up England’s second with a sublime flick into the path of Jamie Vardy.

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England vs Lithuania player ratings

Dele Alli – 6 out of 10

After an impressive display against Germany earlier in the week, Alli struggled to make much of an impression at Wembley. Was on the receiving end of some very rough treatment from Lithuania’s defenders and generally took a backseat as Sterling and Lallana impressed.

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England vs Lithuania player ratings

Raheem Sterling – 7 out of 10

Made a very bright start before fading in the second-half, where he was quickly replaced by Marcus Rashford. Created England’s goal by beating his man and hitting a superb low pass across the face of goal for Defoe to finish.

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England vs Lithuania player ratings

Jermain Defoe – 7 out of 10

Southgate took a gamble when he handed Defoe his first England call-up since 2013. Twenty minutes into this match and his decision was validated. Smashed home from close-range with confidence for his 20th international goal, and looked lively throughout.

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England vs Lithuania player ratings

Jamie Vardy - 6 out of 10

Replaced Jermain Defoe with half an hour left to play and did very well, linking up nicely with Alli and calmly finishing when played through by Lallana for England's second.

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England vs Lithuania player ratings

Marcus Rashford - 7 out of 10

Did exactly what you expect from a thirty minute Marcus Rashford cameo. Terrorised his marker, repeatedly cut inside and was desperately unlucky not to score, or assist a goal.

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England squad to face Scotland and France

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United), Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Jake Livermore (West Bromwich Albion), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Strikers: Jermain Defoe (Sunderland), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City).

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