Harry Winks is ready to learn as much as he can during his short time with Wayne Rooney – the man he considered to be the personification of the England team while he was growing up.
Rooney has linked up with the Three Lions squad once more after it was decided Thursday’s friendly against the United States will be used as an occasion to mark his international achievements.
The 33-year-old retired from England duty last year but will collect a 120th cap in the Wayne Rooney Foundation International at Wembley.
Rooney, England’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped outfield player, joined the squad at St George’s Park on Monday and will train up until the United States game before departing.
Winks, who celebrated his seventh birthday just days before Rooney made his England debut in February 2003, is at the start of his own international career.
The Tottenham midfielder impressed when handed his second cap in the the 3-2 Nations League win away to Spain last month.
Now he wants to make use of of the time he has with Rooney to learn from someone he has looked up to.
“I think some of the boys have probably played with him for England before but for me it is a bit surreal,” he said.
“When I was young, growing up you think of Wayne Rooney as England and all of the stuff he has done for his club and country it is amazing.
“To be in and around him and to train with him, you see his quality and his professionalism and he is definitely someone to learn off.
“When you are in and around someone like Wayne Rooney you have to take as much experience from him as possible.
“He has won everything, done everything and he is a top, top player – when you think of England you think of Wayne Rooney.
“To even have the opportunity to be in the camp with him and share the amazing game he has got coming up is fantastic and I am really looking forward to it.”