England captain named on the bench for Slovenia game read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1222-england-captain-named-on-the-bench-for-slovenia-game

England captain Wayne Rooney is set to be dropped to the bench for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Slovenia.

Manchester United man Rooney is England's most-capped outfield player, winning his 117th cap in the 2-0 victory against Malta on Saturday.

However, his performances recently have been heavily criticized and the 30-year-old was booed by sections of the Wembley crowd at the weekend, when he operated in a deep-lying midfield role.

Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier played in that position during Euro 2016.

Interim national boss Southgate defended his captain after Saturday's game, saying the criticism was at times unfair.

Slovenia manager Srecko Katanec says it will not surprise him if Rooney is left out by England as he feels the player is not the youngest any more and his form has taken a little dip.

Wayne Rooney is a leader of this team, he has the experience a captain needs and it is quite hard to substitute him or leave him out, added Katanec, whose side have four points in World Cup Qualifying Group F following a draw with Lithuania and victory over Slovakia.

England's victory over Malta gave them two wins out of two to leave them top of the group, two points ahead of second-placed Scotland.

Rooney's team-mates were left shocked by some fans' treatment of the player, who has scored one goal in 12 games for club and country this season and has not started Manchester United's past three matches.

Manchester City defender John Stones believes England's record goalscorer is a victim of his own high standards, after scoring 53 goals in 117 appearances for his country.

He wears his heart on his sleeve and gives 110% and you can see that in every performance, said defender Stones, 22. I am a bit shocked that the booing happened.

He is always up there and on form. The top players are always going to get the stick that gets piled on them because of the standards he sets.

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill has captained England before in Rooney's absence, including the final group game of Euro 2016 against Slovakia.

Goalkeeper Joe Hart and Chris Smalling, who has recently captained Manchester United, have also performed the role in the past.