England manager Roy Hodgson has announced Wayne Rooney will not start Friday’s international friendly clash against Spain, while Premier League top goalscorer Jamie Vardy is a doubt for the clash in Alicante.
The Three Lions boss moved quickly to dispel any potencial spectulation over his decision to sideline Rooney, insisting he is simply keen to give his other forward players the chance to impress before he whittles down his side for Euro 2016 next summer.
The Manchester United captain will instead feature against France at Wembley Stadium next Tuesday.
Hodgson told a press conference: "Wayne's with me today because he's the captain of our team, he's the most important figure as a result, but he actually won't start the game tomorrow.
"I'm telling you that because Wayne and I are very anxious that we're not trying to fool anybody or bamboozle anybody when he's sat alongside me.
"That's for the very simple reason that we're looking at various combinations.
"Wayne is pencilled in against France on Tuesday."
Rooney understands the need to rotate the squad, adding: "It's important especially in these games that the manager has a chance to see as many players as he can before the tournament in the summer.
"As a player you want to play but you have understand that there are bigger things to consider.”
Fellow striker Vardy, who has scored in his last nine Premier League matches, is doubtful due to a niggle he picked up in Leicester's victory over Watford.
Hodgson added: "Jamie Vardy is struggling with a knock he picked up on Saturday. We're monitoring it, we're still working on it but it looks unlikely at this moment in time that he'll be able to play tomorrow."