Slovenia vs England: Wayne Rooney set to be dropped for Gareth Southgate's second game in charge
Reports have suggested that the England captain will start on the bench for Tuesday night's match
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Your support makes all the difference.England captain Wayne Rooney is expected to be named on the bench for the national side’s World Cup qualifier against Slovenia on Tuesday night.
The Independent understands that Gareth Southgate has made the decision to drop the captain following his performance against Malta at Wembley.
The 30-year-old was booed by sections of the home crowd as he made his way off the pitch following the final whistle on Saturday.
Southgate was left dismayed by the crowd's actions, however, and sought to defend his captain in the wake of his first game in charge.
“I was very pleased with Wayne’s performance. I felt the role he was asked to play he fulfilled," he said.
“He was asked to dictate the game, play with positional discipline which we thought was very important. Him and Jordan Henderson as a pair did exactly as we hoped.
“I think Wayne commands the respect (of his team-mates). When he makes his observations, he speaks up, it’s clear the authority that he talks with, but also the insight and his knowledge of the game is of a very high level, not just of the game but the dynamics of the groups and things they can learn, things they can improve upon.
Nonetheless, Southgate insisted he won’t shy away from making big decisions.
“I’ve got to make decisions which are right for the team and whenever you select a team, with England, you’re going to leave some guys on the bench that are playing every week in the Premier League for their club," he added.
“You have to be prepared to do that. That’s part and parcel of the job.”
Despite being in charge for just one game, Southgate has already faced considerable pressure to drop Rooney.
The reports have not yet been confirmed and the former Middlesbrough manager is expected to announce his full team later tonight.
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