Lewis Dunk reveals what Wayne Rooney said to him ahead of England debut

Brighton & Hove Albion defender Lewis Dunk was presented with his England shirt by Wayne Rooney ahead of his Three Lions debut last night.
Lewis Dunk warming-up for England last night. Picture by Kieran Cleeves/BHAFCLewis Dunk warming-up for England last night. Picture by Kieran Cleeves/BHAFC
Lewis Dunk warming-up for England last night. Picture by Kieran Cleeves/BHAFC

Rooney, England's record goalscorer, was winning his 120th and final cap for his country and presented shirts to all of the debutants before the match.

Dunk admitted it was an honour to receive the number six shirt from Rooney and after the game said: "He said congratulations to me, you deserve to be here and stuff like that.

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"It was very welcome and very good coming from a man like him."

England boss Gareth Southgate praised Rooney's impact during the week and said: "The players will have taken on board Wayne Rooney's humility, even after everything he has given to the game. He mucked in during training and worked hard in the five-a-sides and in the game he was tracking back."

Speaking after the game last night, Dunk was quick to praise a number of people after making his Three Lions debut.

He thanked all of the people who have helped him throughout his career and said: "A lot of people have worked with me over my career to get me to where I am and I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for them, starting with my old man taking me up and down the road to Wimbledon and then to Brighton.

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"Massive credit to him and all of the coaches I've worked with. I'm very thankful."

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