England manager Gareth Southgate says he did not speak to captain Wayne Rooney before leaving him out of the squad for June’s matches with Scotland and France.
England’s all-time leading goalscorer Rooney has only started 15 league games for Manchester United this season.
The 31-year-old was left out of the previous squad in March due to injury.
“There are only so many times you can speak about it,” said Southgate, who has not yet decided on a new captain.
Southgate said on Thursday that Rooney was overlooked because of the “good form” of other players.
“I’ve no idea what the future is for Wayne at Manchester United so it’s impossible for me to comment if he’s part of the plans or not,” added Southgate.
“He’s got some big decisions to make this summer – you want your players playing in the biggest possible games.
“Hopefully he’s back playing well – there is no way we would dismiss him from the future.”
Rooney has said he has “more or less” decided his future at Old Traffordand that he would only move to former club Everton if he stays in the Premier League.
Southgate also confirmed that Liverpool right-back Nathaniel Clyne has pulled out of the squad due to injury, with Tottenham right-backs Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier already included.
‘A lot of potential leaders’
England face Scotland at Hampden Park in a Group F qualifier on 10 June before travelling to France for a friendly on 13 June.
In Rooney’s absence in March, centre-back Gary Cahill was captain in friendly defeat by Germany, while goalkeeper Joe Hart led the side in victory over Lithuania in the World Cup qualifier at Wembley.
However, Southgate said there are a “number of different ways” he could go when choosing his next captain.
“There are a lot of potential leaders emerging from this group and that’s good because there’s always been a focus on one person and an over-reliance on one person,” he said.
Southgate said he has a “clear idea” of his starting side for the Scotland match, apart from a “couple of positions” he wants to look at in training.
However, he added: “Not many people are guaranteed their places.”
England squad to face Scotland and France
Goalkeepers:
Jack Butland (Stoke), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Man City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)
Defenders:
Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Aaron Cresswell (West Ham), Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough), Phil Jones (Man Utd), Chris Smalling (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham), Kyle Walker (Tottenham)
Midfielders:
Dele Alli (Tottenham), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Man Utd), Jake Livermore (West Brom), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Man City)
Forwards:
Jermain Defoe (Sunderland), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Jamie Vardy (Leicester)
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