Roy Hodgson Comments on Wayne Rooney's England Role at Euro 2016

England manager Roy Hodgson said forward Wayne Rooney will still play a big role for his team during UEFA Euro 2016, despite the emergence of other top strikers such as Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy.

Rooney missed England's 3-2 win over Germany on Saturday because of an injury and saw Kane and Vardy lead the Three Lions to a comeback win over the defending world champions. The performance led to many fans and pundits calling for a smaller role for the United man, but Hodgson believes that's unfair.

As reported by BBC Sport's Phil McNulty on Sunday, Hodgson believes all of his strikers will push each other to greater heights, and he won't move his captain to the side right now:  

"

I have to repeat Wayne is our captain and he has captained the team extremely well in the past two years.

He took us through a qualifying campaign where we had a complete success with 10 wins out out 10. It doesn't please me too much that it is suggested now that the moment he is injured and doesn't play he gets jettisoned in some way. He doesn't deserve that.

When he comes back and is fit again he is going to be putting enormous pressure on these players, just like these players will be putting enormous pressure on him - and that is the situation we are looking forward to.

"

The 30-year-old played a big part in England's perfect qualifying campaign, leading the team with six goals scored, per BBC Sport. But despite those numbers, plenty believe others should start over him during the upcoming tournament, including former professional footballer Adrian Clarke:

Kane and Vardy staked their claim on Saturday, as the former started England's comeback with a superb solo goal, and the latter scored the equaliser just minutes after coming on. 

And they weren't the only players to make a big impression, as the team's younger members all displayed tremendous energy in what was ultimately a meaningless friendly. Per John Cross of the Daily Mirror, it was a welcome sight:

Kane and Vardy have been in excellent form this season and rank near the top of the Premier League's top scorers' standings, unlike Rooney, who has misfired for the Red Devils on plenty of occasions. 

But Rooney has plenty of international experience, unlike his main competitors for the starting position, and he remains the team's captain when healthy. His versatility is also a big asset, as he has experience operating in a deeper role and does an excellent job of dropping back and collecting the ball.

It's hard to ignore the hot form of Kane and Vardy, however, and if the two finish the season in style, you have to assume one of them will have the inside track to the starting position. Rooney has looked solid in the England jersey of late. But his domestic form works against him, and his absence against Germany certainly didn't help matters.

Follow @ReverschPass