Wayne Rooney admits it feels like he’s hardly been away, as he prepares for his final England appearance this week.
The former Three Lions captain and D.C. United man is back in Gareth Southgate’s squad for one last date, when USA are the visitors to Wembley and he will pick up his 120th cap.
With Thursday's match also dedicated to supporting the Wayne Rooney Foundation, the former Manchester United and Everton striker sat down to speak for the match programme after reporting for duty for the first time since last October.
"It has been great to be back," he said.
"I know all the players, and there are a lot who I have played with who are in the squad.
"I know Gareth and the coaching staff too and being back in this environment is a privilege; it's something I've been looking forward to and I'm going to enjoy it.
"It will be great to run out one last time in an England shirt and playing at Wembley again is a way for me to be able to say thank you to the fans for all the support they've given me over the last 15 years.
"It will be a nice to thank them and say goodbye – something I didn't get to do properly in my previous game. To do that will be very special before I return to being a fan."
Supporters at the game will be able to donate to the Foundation via fundraising events outside and inside Wembley and you can also do it via BT.com/Rooney or by texting ROONEY to 70456 (£5) or 70577 (£10).
And Rooney is hopeful that the support will lead to more help for the beneficiaries of his Foundation.
“Once it was announced that this game would support the Foundation and that the FA would allocate some benefit from it to improve the lives of children and young people I was very pleased,” he added.
“Being a father myself, I know how important it is to help kids who don't get the chances that others do.
“This game is a big opportunity to try and help those charities that the Foundation assists and I'd like to thank everyone who has contributed something for their support.”
The full interview with Rooney will appear in the official match programme for the USA game, alongside features with Ross Barkley, Gareth Southgate, Alexi Lalas and DeAndre Yedlin. Order your copy now.
Want to be at Wembley to see Rooney's farewell appearance? Tickets for the game with the USA are still on sale.
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