Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier has branded Roy Hodgson a "coward" for not hooking Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney during England's clash with Italy. Three Lions boss Hodgson took off Rooney's Manchester United strike partner Danny Welbeck instead.

But The Sun reports ex-Southampton star Le Tissier, 43, said: "It was clear after 50 minutes Rooney wasn't going to have any impact.

"It was harsh on Danny Welbeck that he was the one taken off. He carried more of a threat. It was a coward's decision."