England v Slovenia [Euro Qualifier Group E]

Roy Hodgson and his men sit three points clear at the top of Group E with a 100 per cent record from three games, eight goals scored and none conceded on the road to France in 2016.

That position could be further strengthened this weekend if England defeat Slovenia, who visit London in second place in the group with six points from their three games.

And Hodgson and his players can go into the fixture with confidence while the game will also bring back memories for fans of their most recent meeting with Slovenia at the 2010 World Cup.

A Jermain Defoe goal decided that tie in South Africa and took Fabio Capello’s team to the knockout stages at the expense of Slovenia, although England were soon well beaten by Germany.

Rooney was Defoe’s strike partner in that match in 2010 when the Manchester United man made his 63rd appearance for his country.

But England’s current captain will now join the 100-cap club alongside Peter Shilton, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Bobby Moore, Ashley Cole, Bobby Charlton, Frank Lampard and Billy Wright.

It will be a landmark for Rooney, who memorably made his senior debut for his country as a 17-year-old in a defeat by Australia in 2003 at Upton Park before some highs and lows as an international.

And Sky Sports expert Jamie Redknapp has said: “Wayne has perhaps had the most eventful time getting to the milestone out of all the centurions but it is an achievement he will look back on when he is older and say, ‘wow, didn’t I do well there’.

“Being captain of club and country, the chances are he will go on to break Peter Shilton’s 125-cap record which will be a great feat.”

Rooney will now want to mark his 100th cap with another goal to follow those against San Marino and Estonia earlier in the European Qualifiers as he chases down Bobby Charlton’s record.

Charlton scored 49 goals for England and Rooney is only six goals behind with Gary Lineker (48) and Jimmy Greaves (44) in between.

Team news
England will be without Michael Carrick and Andros Townsend after both players withdrew from the squad earlier in the week due to injury.

West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino could make his senior debut after being named in Hodgson’s squad having taken the Premier League by storm this season.

Raheem Sterling is expected to start having been omitted from the first XI against Estonia due to suffering from fatigue while Danny Welbeck will likely partner Rooney in attack.

Stewart Downing could feature after returning to the international setup having previously been in the wilderness since 2012.

Srecko Katanec’s Slovenia have Palermo defender Sinisa Andelkovic back in contention for the first time in a year-and-a-half while Miral Samardzic also returns.