Wayne Rooney's involvement has led to a late rush for tickets over the past week, with an attendance of about 60,000 now predicted. Reuters
Wayne Rooney's involvement has led to a late rush for tickets over the past week, with an attendance of about 60,000 now predicted. Reuters
Wayne Rooney's involvement has led to a late rush for tickets over the past week, with an attendance of about 60,000 now predicted. Reuters
Wayne Rooney's involvement has led to a late rush for tickets over the past week, with an attendance of about 60,000 now predicted. Reuters

Wayne Rooney's international farewell drives Wembley ticket rush


  • English
  • Arabic

The English Football Association has sold more than 20,000 tickets for England's friendly against the United States since former captain Wayne Rooney's one-off international comeback was confirmed, an FA spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

Rooney, England's record scorer with 53 goals, is expected to be brought on as a substitute to claim his 120th cap in the charity game at Wembley on Thursday.

Rooney's involvement has led to a late rush for tickets over the past week, with an attendance of about 60,000 now predicted.

The charity match will raise funds for the Wayne Rooney Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged children.

"Looking forward to meeting up with the @England squad later today, always a huge honour. An exciting week for @FoundationWR!," Rooney wrote on Twitter before joining Gareth Southgate's squad on Monday.

Rooney, who began his career at Everton, spent 13 seasons at Manchester United.

After a season back at Everton, he moved to the United States to join DC United, helping them to the MLS play-offs in his first campaign.

Southgate is expected to give his first-choice players some rest against the United Stated ahead of an Uefa Nations League clash against Croatia on Sunday.

Tripper out of friendly

Tottenham Hotspur right-back Kieran Trippier was ruled out of England's internationals against the US and Croatia this week due to a groin injury, the English FA confirmed on Tuesday.

Trippier, who scored in England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia in July, hobbled off after just 25 minutes of Spurs' 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

"Trippier was one of 27 players to report to St. George's Park on Monday but, following assessment over the last 24 hours, it was decided that he'll return to his club to continue rehabilitation," said the FA in a statement.

Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck, who suffered a serious ankle injury in a Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon last week, is the only other withdrawal from the original 28-man squad named by Gareth Southgate.

_____________

Read more:

Wayne Rooney misses in penalty shoot-out as DC United knocked out of MLS play-offs

England's worst ever players: Michael Ricketts, Scott Carson, Jon Flanagan and more

_____________

Everton's Gylfi Sigurdsson did not even travel to join up with Iceland for matches with Belgium and Qatar because of an ankle problem. Reuters
Everton's Gylfi Sigurdsson did not even travel to join up with Iceland for matches with Belgium and Qatar because of an ankle problem. Reuters

Injuries to Sigurdsson and Gomes

Meanwhile, Everton pair Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andre Gomes will spend the international break on Merseyside after injuries ruled them out of duty for their countries.

Sigurdsson did not even travel to join up with Iceland for matches with Belgium and Qatar because of an ankle problem sustained from a tackle by Chelsea's Jorginho at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Gomes, who has played the full 90 minutes in Everton's last three matches after returning from injury, joined up with the Portugal squad but was sent home after it was decided his fitness was not up to the necessary standard for matches against Italy and Poland because of bruising.

"After analysing the tests carried out Monday the health and performance unit considered that Andre Gomes is not able to work with the national team," a statement from the Portugal Football Federation said.

Both players have become key to manager Marco Silva's game plan and the Toffees boss will hope the international break will give them time to recover ahead of the visit of Cardiff on November 24.

"Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andre Gomes will remain at USM Finch Farm this week to continue treatment for respective injuries sustained in Sunday's 0-0 draw at Chelsea," a statement from Everton said.

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets