Southgate plans review after ‘drunk’ Rooney reports

LONDON: Gareth Southgate intends to review how England’s players spend their free time if he secures the manager’s job permanently after newspaper photographs showed captain Wayne Rooney allegedly drunk.

British tabloid The Sun published pictures of Manchester United skipper Rooney, 31, supposedly looking the worse for wear after “gatecrashing” a wedding last weekend.

Southgate believes the claims merit investigation, but he is still waiting to hear from the Football Association about whether he has landed the role full-time following a four-game caretaker stint.

“Over the last few years, the players have been allowed to go home during a period of time,” Southgate told reporters after England’s 2-2 friendly draw with Spain at Wembley.

“They trained Saturday morning and they trained again on Sunday afternoon, and I gave the players a period of time off (in between). I’m not aware of anything else.

“There were lots of changes we made to routines. Some things we thought we should keep the same and I’ll have to review (it) — or maybe I won’t have to review! Someone will have to review it.”

Rooney missed the game against Spain on Tuesday due to a knee problem sustained during last Friday’s 3-0 win over Scotland in World Cup qualifying.

He is said to have joined revellers celebrating a wedding at England’s team hotel in Watford, north of London, on Saturday night and The Sun quoted witnesses who said he was drunk.

Rooney’s spokesman said: “As he has always been, Wayne was happy to sign (autographs), pose for photos and chat with guests.

“It is sad that one or two of them have now sought to turn Wayne’s friendly good nature to their advantage.”

Rooney was recalled by Southgate for the win over Scotland, having been dropped for England’s goalless draw in Slovenia, after winning back his place in the United first team.