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Gareth Southgate confirms Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott will start for England
WAYNE ROONEY will start for England against Malta tomorrow as interim manager Gareth Southgate stands by the Three Lions captain.
Southgate: I felt it was important to step forward
There have been calls for Rooney to be dropped after his disappointing display in England's 1-0 win over Slovakia last month.
The 30-year-old has also endured a poor run of performances at Manchester United.
But Southgate has stuck by former manager Sam Allardyce's decision to keep faith in Rooney.
"I am sure the full team will leak out but I don't want to give the opposition advantage of knowing our team. It is the professional thing to do," Southgate said.
ENGLAND V MALTA PREVIEW
Southgate (right) has selected Walcott to start against Malta
"I don't want this time to stop," Walcott said.
"I have been working hard and I want to be better than the opposition.
"It is stuff people won't see, but deep down you know you are ready for the match having trained well during the week."
Rooney and Walcott (right) will start at Wembley
Rooney has scored just once for Manchester United all season
Walcott (second left) boasts five goals for the season
England have had a number of players drop out of the squad due to injuries, with match winner in Trnava Adam Lallana one of the key absentees.
Gary Cahill will face a late fitness test ahead of tomorrow's clash at Wembley Stadium, while Phil Jagielka withdrew from the squad today.
And Southgate confirmed he may draft in more players to the squad before Tuesday's clash with Slovenia.
"We are monitoring Gary Cahill," Southgate said.
England face Malta tomorrow
"We have lost a few players this week and times I was thinking if this is the landscape all the time.
"Fortunately, I am used to dealing with that.
"We will have a look after the Malta game to see if we can bring anyone in.
"This is a great opportunity to show what English players can do.
"I keep hearing about what English player cannot do, but I have seen what they can do. I want them to show it."
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