Watch England vs USA on Thursday - coverage begins on Sky Sports Main Event at 7pm
Monday 12 November 2018 23:49, UK
Wayne Rooney arrived at St George’s Park on Monday as he prepares to win his 120th England cap against USA at Wembley.
The former Everton and Manchester United forward, who has impressed in the MLS since joining DC United, won his last cap in the 3-0 win over Scotland in November 2016.
The 33-year-old is set to come off the bench in Thursday's friendly after the Football Association decided to honour his record-breaking international career.
Rooney, who with 53 goals is England's all-time leading goalscorer, also holds more caps than any other outfield player.
He will be a substitute at Wembley in Thursday night's friendly but manager Gareth Southgate will give him minutes on the pitch in a match officially known as the Wayne Rooney Foundation International.
"Look Roo's back…" England wrote on their official twitter feed.
Rooney himself posted an Instagram message earlier on Monday with the caption: "Looking forward to meeting up with the @England squad later today, always a huge honour."
He is joined in the England squad by Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson, who earned his first senior call-up following an impressive start to the season with Eddie Howe's side.
Only Danny Welbeck is missing from the initial 28-man squad named by Southgate last week after the Arsenal forward broke his ankle in Thursday night's Europa League draw with Sporting Lisbon.
Tottenham full-back Kieran Trippier also reported for duty despite limping out of Saturday's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The remainder of the squad joined together on Monday, with some going through a light training session.
After Rooney's cameo on Thursday, Southgate's side face Croatia at Wembley three days later in their final group stage match of the inaugural Nations League.
England followed up a goalless draw in Croatia last month with a memorable 3-2 win against Spain to leave Group 4 in the balance.
Spain and Croatia meet in Zagreb on Thursday and only after that will England know what the stakes are this weekend.
At the moment, Southgate knows his side could be playing for a place in the finals of the competition or face relegation to League B for the next version of the tournament.
Watch England vs USA on Thursday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports Main Event at 7pm.
