Wayne Rooney hails Arsenal midfielder Declan Rise as a ‘future captain of England’

After a difficult start to his Leeds United career, Rooney’s former Everton team-mate Dominic Calvert-Lewin has hit a purple patch in recent weeks.

The 28-year-old had scored just once in 10 league appearances prior to Leeds’ 3-2 defeat at Manchester City last month but has now found the net in each of his past five outings, scoring twice in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace at Elland Road.

Rooney feels the striker could yet force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s squad for next summer’s World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

“If he continues this, then there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be talked about – or even get an opportunity – to go to the World Cup, purely because of the lack of forwards England have got,” Rooney said.

“He competes, he’s great in the air, he’s good in both boxes. When he’s in a run of form and scoring goals like he is, he’s a handful to play against.

“You forget, he’s still quite young, he’s still got a bit left in him and you forget how good a player he is.”

Calvert-Lewin scored 71 goals during his time at Everton but only found the net three times in his final season with the club, missing over three months of the campaign with a hamstring injury.

“I think Everton made the right decision [to let him go],” Rooney continued. “Over the past couple of seasons, he was never fit, really, and he was out of contract.

“It would have been very difficult for Everton to give him a new contract with his injury record, but he’s gone to Leeds, kept himself fit. The physios are doing a good job with him there.”