Premier League goal-scoring great Alan Shearer believes Wayne Rooney still has a significant role to play for club and country.

Rooney, who has been dropped by Manchester United in recent matches following a poor run of form, remains the captain of England and Shearer is convinced the star will bounce back at club level despite conceding the star no longer excels in a single position.

‘Jose [Mourinho] hasn’t played him centre forward as of yet, he has played Ibra [Zlatan Ibrahimovic], with him perhaps just in behind or on the right side of midfield,’ noted Shearer, reports KickOff.

‘I think, by his own admission, he certainly isn’t as quick as he once was but that happens to everyone, you don’t need anyone to tell you that is the case.’

Despite the loss of his speed, Shearer insists Rooney still has the quality to do a lot of damage for club and country. His first priority, however, should be that of winning back his place in Mourinho’s side.

‘He will know that [he’s lost pace] and probably gets fed up of people reminding him of that, but he still has a hell of a lot to offer,’ Shearer explained.

‘First and foremost, he has to start and play for Manchester United or otherwise he might not get in that England team,’ he concluded.

Rooney is the Three Lions’ all-time leading goalscorer having netted 53 times for his country.

England face Malta on Saturday before a home clash against Slovakia on Tuesday.