Wayne Rooney no longer England's top striker

England skipper and leading all-time goalscorer Rooney has been named in the provisional 26-man squad for Euro 2016.

Shearer says the 30-year-old is more suited to a midfield role, behind Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy.

"There was always going to be a place for the captain and rightly so," he said. "But the days of Wayne being the number one striker are gone."

Match of the Day pundit Shearer, who was top scorer at the European Championship 20 years ago, added: "He's still got a lot to offer.

"I think Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy deserve to have their chance up front but I still think Wayne has a part to play, whether that is in midfield or the number 10 role."

'England's Achilles heel'

Manchester United forward Rooney was one of five strikers named by Roy Hodgson in his squad on Monday, along with Tottenham's Kane, Leicester's Vardy, Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge and another Manchester United player, Marcus Rashford.

Newcastle winger Andros Townsend and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere have also been called up, with Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Chris Smalling (Manchester United) and John Stones (Everton) the three centre-backs selected.

"Defensively would be my one worry for England," said Shearer. "I would be confident with us going forward and in midfield but the old Achilles heel is defensively - certainly down the middle at centre-half, which has been a problem for a number of years. We don't seem to have been able to solve that."

'Rashford a bright prospect'

Rashford, 18, has scored seven goals in 16 appearances for Manchester United this season and has been given his international chance following an injury to Arsenal's Danny Welbeck.

"He has been one of the bright sparks for Manchester United this season," said Shearer. "He probably wouldn't have got his chance other than injury to some players but he did get it and he took it.

"He has been full of energy, scored goals and he looks a bright prospect. It will be great experience for him, even if Roy doesn't take him to France."

'Looking towards youth'

Rashford was selected ahead of Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, who has scored 18 goals this season, including five in the past nine games of the season.

"Once Jermain had left this country and gone to play in Canada then that was probably his England career gone," said Shearer, in reference to the six months Defoe spent with Toronto FC prior to joining the Black Cats in January 2015.

"Having said that, he has had a magnificent season with Sunderland. But Roy is now looking towards youth and rightly so."

(BBC)