Rooney to captain England against San Marino

LONDON (AFP) –

Wayne Rooney (left) outpaces Camora during a Champions League match between Manchester United and CFR Cluj in Romania last week. England manager Roy Hodgson has named Rooney as captain for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino at Wembley.

England manager Roy Hodgson has named Wayne Rooney as captain for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino at Wembley.

With regular skipper Steven Gerrard suspended and vice-captain Frank Lampard ruled out due to a knee injury, Hodgson has opted to give the armband to Manchester United striker Rooney.

Rooney has previously captained England once before for a friendly defeat against Brazil in Doha in 2009, but this will be his first competitive match as skipper.

Hodgson’s decision to pick Rooney ahead of Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart — regarded as the only other serious candidate for the role — makes it a double celebration for the 26-year-old as it comes just a day after it was revealed his wife Coleen is expecting the couple’s second child.

“It’s a great honour, it’s something I’m really proud of,” Rooney said at a pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“It’s a big challenge for myself, I’m really looking forward to it and excited, and hopefully we can cap the day off with a good victory.”

Gerrard is expected to regain the armband when he returns from suspension for Tuesday’s qualifier in Poland.