England play USA on Thursday, live on Sky Sports
Tuesday 13 November 2018 12:21, UK
Former England defender Stuart Pearce is "totally against" Wayne Rooney's recall, saying it "cheapens" an international cap.
Rooney's last international appearance was in November 2016 against Scotland at Wembley.
However, the 33-year-old is part of the squad to face USA in a friendly on Thursday, a game which the Football Association has called 'The Wayne Rooney Foundation International' in support of Rooney's charity.
Neville: Rooney deserves send-off
Trippier withdraws from squad
Asked about Rooney's return on The Debate, Pearce said: "I heard it was going to be a charitable game for Wayne's foundation and I thought fantastic, with Wayne playing in the States and coming back in some capacity, but to actually go on the pitch and play and get a cap I am totally against.
"It cheapens an international cap and I don't think it's right. Wayne being at the game and being honoured by the fans in some capacity would be fantastic, for all that he has done in English football, but to actually come back as a bring-the-crowd-in type scenario is not for me."
Gareth Southgate has confirmed Rooney will not start the match against USA, and he will also not be part of the squad for the UEFA Nations League clash against Croatia on Sunday.
But former Republic of Ireland international Andy Townsend agreed with Pearce and said Rooney might even feel "awkward" with the situation.
"You can honour him in so many different ways, before the game, after the game, but once you have retired from international football that's it, you're done," said Townsend.
"The FA have cobbled something together without thinking it through and that has probably put Wayne in an awkward spot as well, because I bet when he first heard about it he thought 'that's great, that will be exciting for me and the family', but now it's created a debate which is split down the middle and it has probably made him feel a bit awkward, which it shouldn't do.
"What would have been better is giving him a Wayne Rooney suite or a bronze statue of him somewhere, because he is a highly-decorated and very successful England player and deserves that, but he shouldn't be on the field."
Watch England v USA live on Sky Sports from 7pm on Thursday
