I never take my place for granted - Rooney

ENGLAND captain Wayne Rooney says he doesn’t take his place in the team for granted.

Whether Rooney - sidelined by a knee injury - should be selected in the first XI when fit has been a topic of debate, which intensified after England defeated world champions Germany 3–2 in Berlin on Saturday without him.

Rooney is making no assumptions about being in boss Roy Hodgson’s starting line–up for this summer’s Euro 2016 finals — but insists he finds the current level of competition for places exciting.

The 30–year–old told ITV: “As I’ve said throughout my career with Manchester United and England, I never take my place for granted. Obviously you want to play, and it is great that that competition is now there. I can’t wait to get back fit and back out there with the lads.

“I want England to be successful and win trophies, and obviously it’s great if I can be a part of that.”