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Rooney to start England's WCup warm-up match vs Ecuador as other regulars are rested in Miami

Associated Press
Published | Updated

England players Wayne Rooney, left, Daniel Sturridge, second from left, Rickie Lambert, second from right, and Gary Cahill, right, warm up during practice, Tuesday, June 3, 2014 in Miami Gardens, Fla. England plays matches at Sun Life Stadium, against Ecuador on Wednesday and Honduras on Saturday. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (The Associated Press)

England forward Wayne Rooney kicks the ball during a training session, Tuesday, June 3, 2014 in Miami Gardens, Fla. England plays matches at Sun Life Stadium, against Ecuador on Wednesday and Honduras on Saturday. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) (The Associated Press)

Wayne Rooney will have a chance to prove his World Cup match fitness for England when he starts against Ecuador in a friendly on Wednesday.

The Manchester United striker returned from a month out with a groin injury in Friday's 3-0 victory against Peru but went a fourth match without scoring for England during his 66 minutes on the Wembley Stadium pitch.

Although Roy Hodgson is using England's penultimate World Cup warm-up match to give squad players game time, the coach confirmed Tuesday that Rooney will stay in the starting lineup at the Sun Life Stadium, just north of Miami.

Frank Lampard, though, will take over the captain's armband from Steven Gerrard, who will be rested from the starting lineup.