Roy Hodgson will consider making Wayne Rooney England’s permanent captain of the future after his positive all-round display against San Marino reports The Telegraph.

Rooney’s double took him past Tom Finney, Nat Lofthouse and Alan Shearer into fifth place in England’s all time scoring list but it was his composed leadership which stood out.

The 26-year-old Manchester United forward was handed the captaincy in the absence of suspended Steven Gerrard and injured Frank Lampard showing a new level of maturity in the role.

Asked whether Rooney would be a future captain, Hodgson said: 'Yes. He was my vice-captain at the Euros, at least he was from the moment he could start playing again.

'Frank Lampard has come back in and he's actually captained the team. But I always had in my mind that Wayne would be the vice-captain. It's something he's very proud of and something he wants to do.'

Steven Gerrard returns as captain for the game against Poland on Tuesday but Rooney is keen to take on the responsibility in the future.

“As a young player, your dream is to play for England and once you do actually play, the next step is to try to captain your country,” he said.

“I've done it, it was a great honour, a great feeling, and hopefully one day in the future it can be full-time. To be successful is a dream, not just myself but everyone in the dressing room.”

Hodgson has been dealt a blow ahead of Tuesday’s crucial match with Theo Walcott ruled out after he picked up a chest injury in the victory over San Marino on Friday.