Football: Wayne Rooney 'influential' captain read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1415-football-wayne-rooney-influential-captain

Rooney's last three Premier League appearances have been off the bench.

South gate, who omitted Rooney for England's World Cup qualifying draw in Slovenia this month, said his leadership was "hugely impressive".

England interim boss Gareth South gate says Captain Wayne Rooney is still "hugely influential", despite the forward's poor Manchester United form.

Ex-England captain Alan Shearer said Rooney, 31, needs to leave United if he wants to play in the 2018 World Cup.

"If he wants to succeed in his ambition to play in the 2018 World Cup, then he must move clubs," Shearer told the Sun.

"It looks unlikely he can achieve both. He will not get picked for England if he is not playing regularly."

South gate said Rooney, who has 118 caps, still has plenty to offer.

He added: "He's the England captain and, although he didn't start in Slovenia, to me he is a hugely influential figure in that group and that won't change.

"I thought his leadership qualities in the 10 days with us shone through. I could see how he's held in the eyes of the rest of the players and the positive influence he has in that environment."

South gate's initial four-game spell in charge ends with a World Cup 2018 qualifier at home to Scotland on Friday, 11 November and a home friendly against Spain on Wednesday, 15 November.