England must start Rooney against Italy

Last updated : 06 June 2014 By England Mad

Smith defends the Manchester United man, claiming that Roy Hodgson's decision to play him on the left in the friendly with Ecuador doesn't necessarily mean that will be his position once the World Cup gets going.

“I don’t think it was ever a question of making it work,” he told Sky Sports News.

“I think he stuck him there because sometimes you get through more work on the left funnelling backwards and forwards. It was all about fitness for Wayne Rooney.

“Yes, he has played there before for England and Manchester United plenty of times. It’s not his favourite position and I don’t think it’s a position he’ll play against Italy on June 14.

“It was more game time for him. I don’t think it was a roaring success, him out there. He came in to get his goal, but for me it was a question of getting those lungs working and getting his fitness up to something like 100%.”