I would still select Rooney

Wayne Rooney’s apprehension for drink-driving should not impact his area in Everton’s beginning line-up, claims former Toolbox as well as England striker Ian Wright.

Rooney, 31, has a court hearing on 18 September after being released on bail over the event on 1 September.

Since rejoining his boyhood club this summer, Rooney has actually racked up twice in three Premier Organization appearances.

“I would play him. I can’t see what leaving him out of the team does,” Wright told BBC Radio 5 live.

“The fact is he has started well and they need him.”

Rooney was charged with driving while over the prescribed limit by Cheshire Police after being stopped in the early hours of the morning in Wilmslow.

England’s leading international goalscorer has retired from national-team duty and the incident took place during the season’s first international break.

“There will be teams we will play at the World Cup where we don’t have a lot of the ball,” added Wright.

“There will be times where we have to use it very efficiently. “We need someone who can get through the lines of teams. Alarm bells are ringing for me. What’s going to happen at the World Cup? What’s changed?”