Shrewsbury Town defender Mat Sadler has hailed Wayne Rooney for the striker's contribution to English football.

Rooney is arguably one of the best players England has seen but despite his wonderful goalscoring record for both club and country, the striker is often criticised for not producing during major tournaments for the Three Lions.

However, Rooney's former England Under-17 teammate Sadler is a huge admirer of what the United star has achieved in his career and has hailed the 30-year-old for his contribution to English football over the years.

"What hasn't happened at that time, when you're 16 and 17, is setbacks, and it's overcoming those," he told The Guardian.

"Because at that point you've been the best in your group the whole time, everyone has loved you, then all of a sudden you're not in the team. Not to mention you're growing up, girlfriends, going out, drinking, getting attention – all of these things have to be factored in.

"So for Wayne to be at the top for as long as he has, he deserves serious recognition. He gets barracked at times but that documentary Gary Lineker did highlighted just how well he has done. He's still expected to do it now and still will do it now.

"He'll lead the line for England at the Euros, he'll be the captain, and if things don't go well he'll be the first one to get hammered, the first one who should come out the team. Yet he's done so much for English football."