Stage is set for Rooney

WORLD CUP GROUP D:

Hodgson, ever the scholar, used the Royal Air Force’s motto ’Per ardua ad astra’ (Through adversity to the stars) to describe his route to the top, and the same applies to Rooney’s potential journey back to the big time.

Until recently Rooney was regarded as the undisputed high-flyer among England’s crop of forwards.