Wayne Rooney and Michail Antonio shine as new boss Sam Allardyce holds a rare opening train session for England – while keeper Joe Hart misses out to jet to Turin and tie up Torino loan deal


NEW boy Michail Antonio looked as confident as old head Wayne Rooney as Sam Allardyce helped launch his England reign with a rare opening training session.

West Ham wideman Antonio, the big surprise in Allardyce‘s first Three Lions squad, and Rooney, reaffirmed as skipper despite England’s 2016 debacle, sweltered in the heat ahead of Sunday’s first World Cup qualifier away to Slovakia.

West Ham winger Michail Antonio hopes to feature away to Slovakia in the first World Cup qualifier
West Ham winger Michail Antonio hopes to feature away to Slovakia on Sunday
IMAGE: Getty Images
Wayne Rooney is staying as England skipper but expects to bow out in 2018
Wayne Rooney is staying as England skipper but expects to bow out in 2018
IMAGE: Reuters
Man Utd striker Rooney comes under the eye of assistant England boss Sammy lee
Man Utd star Rooney comes under the eye of assistant England boss Sammy Lee
IMAGE: Reuters

But Rooney was cool and relaxed just after the Manchester United striker revealed he will quit international football following the 2018 finals in Russia.

And Antonio, the only newcomer in a 23-man squad, fitted in smoothly too.

He finished training earlier than most of his new team-mates but it is thought this is because he played in the Hammers’ gruelling 3-1 loss at Manchester City on Sunday.

In fact, the sole absentee from England training was City keeper Joe Hart, who was allowed to fly to Turin so he can complete a season’s loan deal with Torino after being displaced as the Etihad No 1 under Pep Guardiola.

New Man City star John Stones hopes to dislodge Gary Cahill or Chris Smalling in central defence
John Stones hopes to dislodge Gary Cahill or Chris Smalling in central defence
IMAGE: PA:Press Association
Spurs frontman Harry Kane hopes to put his difficult Euro 2016 behind him on Sunday in Slovakia
Tottenham frontman Harry Kane hopes to put his difficult Euro 2016 behind him
IMAGE: Reuters
Sam Allardyce mulls over training with Sammy Lee and coach Craig Shakespeare
Sam Allardyce mulls over training with Sammy Lee and coach Craig Shakespeare
IMAGE: Reuters

Hart will soon rejoin Allardyce‘s squad but he knows Southampton stopper Fraser Forster is closer than ever before to replacing him as first-choice England keeper.

Allardyce tried out some possible formations in his open session.

But the ex-Sunderland and West Ham chief gave few serious clues to his thinking ahead of his opening match in the job he has craved for most of his 25-year managerial career.

Etihad favourite Joe Hart is facing up to life away from the Prem and possibly out of the England tream
Manchester City favourite Joe Hart is facing up to life away from the Premier League – on loan in Italy with Torino –  and possibly out of the England tream
IMAGE: Getty Images
Rooney expects to quit England in 2018 while Jack Wilshere missed out on the current squad
Rooney remains as England captain but Jack Wilshere missed out on the squad
IMAGE: PA:Press Association

ENGLAND SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley). Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur). Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Michail Antonio (West Ham United), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal). Strikers: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City).

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