Betting: Wayne Rooney 4/1 to make England's World Cup 2018 squad

Wayne Rooney may be England's all-time leading goalscorer but the 31-year-old is now 4/1 (5.0) to be in Gareth Southgate's squad for Russia 2018.

The Manchester United man had been overlooked for the Three Lions' previous squad but there were also concerns about his fitness at that point. That's certainly not the case this time around though, with Rooney simply unable to command a starting place in Jose Mourinho's first choice XI.

Despite the absence of top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic through injury, the Portuguese boss chose to deploy Marcus Rashford up front in the Europa League final against Ajax in Stockholm on Wednesday night, with Rooney only brought onto the pitch as a 90th minute substitute.

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With just five Premier League goals to his name this season and eight in the previous campaign, there is little to suggest that the previous England captain has a long-term or even short term future as a Manchester United regular, and it could be the case that he looks to leave Old Trafford this summer in search of first team football or face another season on the bench.

Considering his wages, staying in the Premier League is likely to mean taking a significant pay cut or move abroad to the likes of MLS or China. Such a switch would likely be just as damaging to his England career though, so the quote of 4/1 (5.0) about him being involved in next summer's World Cup is understandable.

One man who could be a potential inclusion despite his advancing years is Jermain Defoe. The 34-year-old last represented his country in March 2017, scoring in a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley and has been included in the most recent squad.

Defoe scored 15 goals for Sunderland and although the Black Cats were relegated from the Premier League, he looks to be heading to Bournemouth this summer and clearly still has what it takes to make an impact in the top flight. The former Tottenham man is 2/1 (3.0) to make the World Cup.

England face Scotland in their next qualification match at Hampden Park next month and the visitors are 3/4 (1.75) to pick up three points. Gordon Strachan's side are 4/1 (5.0) to record a home win with the draw priced at 12/5 (3.40) by bet365.