Roy Hodgson: Rooney will face Ukraine

By Robert Summerscales, Reporter | 15 June 2012

England manager Roy Hodsgon confirms that he will break the partnership of Andy Carroll and Danny Welbeck for his side's clash with Ukraine on Tuesday.

England manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Wayne Rooney will return to the team in his natural position against Ukraine on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old Manchester United forward is available for the Three Lions' final Group D clash, having served a two-match suspension for being sent off in the 2-2 draw with Montenegro in October.

Andy Carroll partnered Danny Welbeck, both of whom scored, as England beat Sweden 3-2 in Kiev tonight.

However, despite the pair's success, Hodgson will break the partnership when his team face the co-hosts in Donetsk.

"I'm delighted for the younger guys but pleased with the older guard against Swedish team that asked a lot of questions," said Hodgson. "They dealt with most of the questions asked of them.

"With Rooney available, he will play in his position - a striker that sometimes drops deep, like Ashley Young did in first game and Zlatan Ibrahimovic did today.

"I'll probably push Ashley to the wing when Wayne comes back."

A draw against Ukraine would see England progress to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.