It hasn't been a great season for Wayne Rooney.

Having lost his place in the team for club and country, the 31-year-old has had to face a mountain of speculation surrounding his future at Manchester United.

It's worth pointing out that it hasn't been all bad. Last month he did become the Red Devils' all-time record goalscorer - overtaking club legend Sir Bobby Charlton.

Nevertheless, it would appear that he has been dealt another blow by England manager Gareth Southgate.

After missing Man United's last two games with a knee injury, Southgate has opted against naming Rooney in his first squad since being appointed the permanent boss.

And with the 2018 World Cup now less than 18 months away, the England manager already has one eye on what his potential line up will be in Russia.

Although Rooney might still be in Southgate's short term plans, the coach has already been discussing his potential successors as captain of the national team and a few surprising names have cropped up.

Most notably, Harry Kane. The Tottenham striker has been in blistering form so far this season but has been unable to play at international level under Southgate yet due to injury.

However, Southgate believes he has already seen some key skills from Kane that would make a good captain.

“Harry has definite leadership qualities," the England boss said, as per The Mirror.

“He’s a very determined, single-minded individual, completely dedicated to improving and he’s having another outstanding season.

“He is in his third season now of playing at a very high level and getting high numbers of goals. It’s great.

“I mean I haven’t been able to bloody to pick him yet.

"But it looks good for him. And for Tottenham and England. He’s vocal and Harry’s got an opinion, yeah. He’s always happy to speak up in front of the group. As are several others.

“I think I always encourage that amongst players. I think I want to know what they’re thinking. I want to encourage that.

“You then have to manage and deal with that because that can then go in directions you don’t always want it to as a coach. But if you’re prepared to open the floor up then I think it makes a stronger environment."

The Tottenham striker isn't the only captaincy candidate on Southgate's radar with Chris Smalling, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling also impressing him of late.

He added: "Adam Lallana has definitely impressed me as an individual too. Chris Smalling is captaining Manchester United at the moment but there are other players that talk up well in meetings.

“Raheem Sterling, for example, has impressed me with how willing he has been able to contribute in those sort of meetings with a view of things. I think we can be in a good place with all of that but I think that we have got to build on it too.”

Nevertheless, Southgate's comments are fairly damning about Rooney's future.

At just 31, could the international career of England's record goalscorer really be over?

It might not be over just yet but one thing is for sure. The days when England pinned all of their pre-tournament hopes on Wayne Rooney are well and truly over.