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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Sports Staff

Wayne Rooney given guard of honour before England's friendly with USA

Wayne Rooney was given a guard of honour as he returned to England duty for one last time, in a Wembley friendly against USA on Thursday night. 

Rooney walked out on to the pitch before kick-off with his four sons, Kai, Klay, Kit and Cass, as both teams lined up either side of England's record goalscorer. 

(Action Images via Reuters)

Rooney will come on as a second-half substitute wearing the No10 shirt and will take over the captaincy from Fabian Delph. 

Ahead of the game, England manager Gareth Southgate confirmed that this was because the rest of the squad decided that Rooney should get to wear his iconic England shirt number for the last time.

Wayne Rooney is welcomed on to the field at Wembley (Action Images via Reuters)

“The players are very keen that Wayne wears the No10,” Southgate said. “All of our group have huge respect for Wayne. They feel that it is fitting his last game should be in his number 10, for when he puts that shirt on his wall somewhere at the end of his career.”

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