Wayne Rooney praises Arsenal midfielder Declan Rayes as ‘future captain of England’

After a difficult start to his Leeds United career, Rooney’s former Everton team-mate Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been hit by a purple patch in recent weeks.

The 28-year-old scored just one goal in 10 league games before Leeds’ 3-2 defeat to Manchester City last month, but he has now found the back of the net in each of his past five matches, scoring twice in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace at Elland Road.

Rooney feels the striker could make his way into Thomas Tuchel’s squad for next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

“If he keeps this up, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be talked about – or even given a chance – of going to the World Cup, just because of the lack of strikers in England,” Rooney said.

“He competes, he’s great in the air, he’s good in both boxes. When he’s in good form and scoring goals like him, it’s difficult to play against him.

“You forget that he’s still so young, he still has a little bit of strength, and you forget how good of a player he is.”

Calvert-Lewin scored 71 goals during his time at Everton, but found the back of the net just three times in his final season with the club, missing more than three months of the season with a hamstring injury.

“I think Everton made the right decision [to let him go]Rooney continued: “For the last two seasons, he was not fit at all and his contract was out.

“It was very difficult for Everton to give him a new contract with his injury history, but he went to Leeds, and kept himself fit. The physiotherapists are doing a good job with him there.”