England have already clinched their spot at Euro 2016, so any players missing from their starting XI this Friday – when they host Estonia – won’t be a backbreaker.
According to the Telegraph, England captain Wayne Rooney has been ruled out of the game due to an ankle injury suffered against Arsenal last week.
The Manchester United leader has not practiced with the team all week and his status is also uncertain for the Monday matchup against Lithuania.
With Rooney absent, Chelsea’s Gary Cahill will wear the captain’s armband in his place.
Rooney is still expected to be present on Friday for the match against Estonia and will be honored by the Football Association with a Golden Boot for surpassing 1966 World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton as England’s all-time leading scorer.
England have dominated Group E in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, winning all eight of their matches and becoming the first non-host nation to qualify for the tournament this year.
Other injured players for England include Liverpool ace Danny Ings and Man United’s Michael Carrick.
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