England manager Gareth Southgate says Wayne Rooney could play for Manchester United this weekend, despite not selecting him in his latest national team squad.

The Three Lions captain was not called up by Southgate for next week's with Germany in Dortmund and the World Cup qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley on March 26.

Rooney has been struggling with a knee problem which has seen him miss United's past three matches, prompting Southgate to overlook him for England.

But the 31-year-old could be back in action for Jose Mourinho's side when they travel to Middlesbrough on Sunday.

"I have talked with Wayne and I think there is a chance he is fit for the weekend," Southgate said.

"But the injury coupled with the fact he has really not had a lot of game time recently and others have in that area of the pitch has sort of determined my decision on that one."

Southgate offered a recall to veteran Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, while calling on Rooney's Red Devils teammate Marcus Rashford and Leicester City's Jamie Vardy as his strikers for the March double-header.