Rooney returns for crucial England

Rooney

Wayne Rooney has been included in the England squad for their vital FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Montenegro.

The Manchester United striker sat out his club’s 1-1 UEFA Champions League draw at Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday with a swollen shin, and missed England’s last two fixtures against Moldova and Ukraine in September with a head injury.

Rooney’s return is a welcome boost for manager Roy Hodgson, whose side lead Group H by one point from Montenegro and Ukraine and know that only a maximum haul from their last two fixtures will guarantee their participation at Brazil 2014.

The 27-year-old has started the season in impressive form for David Moyes’ side, notching three goals in five Premier League appearances thus far.

Having been struck by an injury crisis to his forward line in the Moldova and Ukraine fixtures, Hodgson has also been given a further lift with both Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck returning.

Liverpool striker Sturridge missed the last two qualifiers with a thigh injury, but a return of seven goals in eight appearances across all competitions for his club this season should put the former Chelsea man in line for a starting spot this time around.

Welbeck scored twice in England’s 4-0 demolition of Moldova, but a yellow card picked up in that match meant he was suspended for the 0-0 draw in Ukraine.