Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney 'set to make injury return after international break'

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is to return from injury shortly after the international break, according to teammate Jesse Lingard. The 30-year-old centre-forward has been sidelined with a knee injury since February, but is apparently set to return to first-team action in early April.

Lingard even suggested Rooney could be fit for United's Premier League meeting with Everton on 3 April. In the meantime, Rooney will have to watch England's upcoming international friendlies against Germany and Netherlands from the sidelines.

"He should be back after the international break," Lingard told ESPN of the United captain, whose position in the team has been taken by 18-year-old striker Marcus Rashford. The youngster scored the winning goal in the Manchester derby on Sunday (20 March), which Rooney was forced to watch from the stands.

It has previously been reported that Rooney's participation at Euro 2016 has been under threat because of his injury troubles. However, Lingard's assessment of the situation suggests he will be fully fit well in advance of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Lingard also revealed United's injury-hit squad can expect to welcome back a number of other first-team players in the coming weeks, including the likes of Ander Herrera and Ashley Young, as well as defenders Phil Jones and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.

"We have a lot of players coming back," the United star added. "That's a massive boost for the squad."