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England door will NEVER be closed on Wayne Rooney, assistant manager Steve Holland tells talkSPORT

England door will NEVER be closed on Wayne Rooney, assistant manager Steve Holland tells talkSPORT

Steve Holland has told talkSPORT the England door will never be closed on Wayne Rooney.

The Three Lions’ record goalscorer has been left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the upcoming clashes with Scotland and France.

Rooney hasn’t made an international appearance since November 2016 and has lost his starting spot at Manchester United under Jose Mourinho.

But Holland, Southgate’s number two, insists the 31-year-old could win his place back in the England squad if his form improves next season.

Speaking to Jim White on Monday, Holland said: “With Wayne, he has not been playing regularly, other players in his position have, and the door is not closed and never will be closed.

“Who knows what next season will bring for Wayne.

“He [Gareth Southgate] is trying to create an environment where if players play well, regardless of what club they are at [they will get a chance]. Jake Livermore, for example, at West Brom appeared in our last fixture in Germany. Michael Keane at Burnley, too.

“If I was an English player playing at a good level I’d be looking at it and thinking if I could produce any sort of consistently, there could be a chance. If they can do that, he will give them a go.”

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