Will Rooney injury better England at Euro 2016?

News has hit that Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney has suffered a knee ligament injury that will see him sidelined for two months. Though this may prove costly for Manchester United and their already dubious bid for top four it may actually act as a blessing in disguise for the England national team.

Wayne Rooney may well be ready and back to full fitness by the end of the season but what this period away from the field will do is highlight the value of other players vying for a place at Euro 2016. Rooney’s place in the starting lineup is already under scrutiny as his form has not blown up many trees. Also let’s not forget his woeful record at major international tournaments.

The popular opinion currently amongst fans is that Rooney’s wayward form should be replaced for the very in-form ability of Jamie Vardy, who is lighting up the Premier League this season with Leicester City. He is helping his club sit pretty at the top of the league, scoring 19 goals and assisting six times. The question is will he be burnt out by the end of the season or possibly suffer his own injury trouble?

He would make a very willing runner for Tottenham’s Harry Kane who has solidified his place in the England set up and has scored 21 goals, of which 2 were scored for England during qualification for the tournament in summer. The problem is that Rooney’s role as the false nine allows him to dictate a game and supply willing runners. Take Rooney out of the team and you take away genuine world class creativity.

In truth Rooney’s Euro 2016 qualification record should still show that he has the chops at international level and it’s unlikely that England coach Roy Hodgson will leave all England’s all-time top goalscorer. But this injury is a set back and should be a boost to his rivals looking to make a serge for his spot in the starting eleven.