England manager Roy Hodgson warns players not to discuss Rooney's Chelsea transfer

England manager Roy Hodgson will instruct his player to avoid discussing club matters considering news about Wayne Rooney's potential transfer from Man U to Chelsea becoming rife, as the striker was selected for Wednesday's friendly with Scotland despite hamstring and shoulder injuries.

According to the Mirror, Hodgson expressed that Ashley Cole and Rooney were quite close friends and Moyes should know that if they were not speaking in a hotel, they would speak on the telephone.

The England boss promised Old Trafford counterpart David Moyes he would not let the striker be distracted by discussing Chelsea with Blues stars Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Gary Cahill, the report said.

Cole, when still an Arsenal player, and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard both became aware of Chelsea's interest in them during international get-togethers, the report added.

Hodgson said that he accepted a duty of care and would make it clear to both Chelsea and Manchester United players that they were playing for England.