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England's next Wayne Rooney? Possible contenders assessed

Wayne Rooney during a walkaround in Ljubliana.

Wayne Rooney's time as England's talisman looks to be coming to an end following Gareth Southgate's decision to drop the country's all-time top scorer for their World Cup Qualifier against Slovenia.

Rooney, who will be a substitute on Tuesday,  insists he will not retire from international football and has vowed to regain his place in England's starting line-up.

He first burst onto the international scene as a teenager at Euro 2004, scoring four goals en route to the quarter-finals. 

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With the next World Cup two years away, we look at a collection of young English players who could step up and make a similar impact in Russia...

Marcus Rashford - Manchester United

The 18-year-old striker is undoubtedly the best placed of the five players on this list to replace Rooney, and arguably the process is already well under way at club and international level.

Rashford started the season on the bench under Jose Mourinho, but has forced his way into contention with three league goals in as many starts, and is back in the England senior team after a hat-trick on his Under-21s debut.

Southgate has urged caution, suggesting Rashford will drop back down next summer for the Under-21 European Championship in Poland.

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"I still think that we would hope that Marcus would go to the Under-21 championships next summer because it would be great for his development - there's obviously a long way to go until then but that, we feel, would be a good experience for him," Southgate said.

Perhaps with one eye on Russia 2018?

Wayne Rooney of Manchester United comes on as a substitute for Marcus Rashford
Image: Marcus Rashford is a team-mate of Wayne Rooney's for club and country

Patrick Roberts - Manchester City (on loan to Celtic)

The City winger, who has been tipped for the top since his time at Fulham, is enjoying Champions League football on loan at Celtic, where his manager Brendan Rodgers is a big fan.

"Raheem Sterling is speed, wing play, and Patrick is more a David Silva type, more on the inside," the Celtic boss said in July. "He looks like he has an eye for goal." And it's not just Rodgers.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique was left impressed after a pre-season match in Dublin.

"Patrick Roberts is a great player and he has a great future in the game," he said. "He has great quality and I expect him will be important for Celtic."

A lithe, technical player, Roberts is very different to Rooney, but the two share a preternatural ability to create goalscoring opportunities.

Celtic's Patrick Roberts takes a shot v Barcelona, International Champions Cup, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Image: Patrick Roberts impressed Barca boss Luis Enrique during their pre-season match in Dublin

Adam Armstrong - Newcastle (on loan to Barnsley)

The Newcastle forward scored 20 goals on loan at Coventry last season, and had plenty of supporters, including Alan Shearer, championing his cause at St James' over the summer.

Rafael Benitez, perhaps shrewdly, didn't place the club's promotion hopes on the shoulders of a 19-year-old, sending Armstrong out to Barnsley, where he has scored twice in six league appearances.

And Barnsley's glee at the signing back in August was evident by their club statement at the time.

"The Reds fought off a whole host of suitors for the prolific goalscoring talent and we are delighted to welcome him to Oakwell," the club posted on its website.

"The striker's stunning ability to finish has seen him score a complete range of goals from close-range finishes inside the area, to long-distance strikes. He has the talent to use both feet when taking chances, as well as the ability to springboard off the floor to score headers."

Adam Armstrong during the U19 International friendly match between England and Japan
Image: Adam Armstrong is a regular for England at youth level

Dominic Solanke - Chelsea

Former Blues boss Jose Mourinho once said he would be to blame if Solanke does not end up playing for England. Two years on and with Mourinho departed, Solanke remains some way off the senior team.

Part of the victorious England Under-17 side at Euro 2014, alongside Roberts and Armstrong, he is still a key man at youth level, and scored from the penalty spot as England Under-20s won the Four Nations tournament on Monday.

But a comparison with Rashford, six weeks Solanke's junior, shows just how far the United striker has jumped ahead of his Chelsea rival.

Dominic Solanke was on the scoresheet from the penalty spot
Image: Dominic Solanke was on the scoresheet from the penalty spot for England Under-20s on Monday

Reiss Nelson - Arsenal

Arsenal's best youth prospect, Nelson has featured for the club's Under-21s and Under-23s and is a regular for England Under-18s.

Happy to play across the front line, he was name-checked by Arsene Wenger at the end of last season.

"We have many players with big quality," Wenger said. "The guys that are with me now like Chris Willock who is very impressive, Jeff Reine-Adelaide is with us on a daily basis, Reiss Nelson is with us also.

Reiss Nelson in UEFA Youth League action for Arsenal
Image: Reiss Nelson in UEFA Youth League action for Arsenal

"We have a few players, and behind the team is a core of six or seven players, I won't name them all now, but they are a guarantee for the future of Arsenal Football Club."

And Nelson, 16, starred for England Under-17s at the recent Euro 2016 tournament, playing a part in four goals in four games before Steven Cooper's side lost 1-0 to Spain in the quarter-finals.

Alongside Tottenham's 'mini-Messi' Marcus Edwards, he looks like one to watch in north London.

Any others?

Looking further down the age groups, a number of youngsters stand out from Cooper's England Under-17s, who thrashed rivals Germany 8-1 earlier this month.

Liverpool's Rhian Brewster grabbed five goals in two starts at the Croatia Cup, including two against Germany. He joined the Reds from Chelsea aged 15, and featured for Jurgen Klopp's first team in a friendly against Bradford over the international break.

Rhian Brewster in action for England U16s against Czech Republic
Image: Rhian Brewster in action for England Under-16s against Czech Republic

Reading forward Danny Loader hit two goals at the same tournament, and made his Royals Under-21s debut aged 15 in April.

Jadon Sancho is another name to keep an eye on. The Manchester City forward also impressed against Germany, and scored a spectacular solo strike to help England Under-17s beat hosts Croatia 5-0 in the competition's opening match.

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