John Stones insists captain Wayne Rooney remains a key player for England, despite currently being out of favour at Manchester United. Ryan McMahon Jersey . Rooney has endured a difficult start to the new Premier League season and has been left on the substitutes bench for the previous three matches, having failed to score since the opening day success at Bournemouth. As well as his form, the 30-year-olds position in the England team has also been a major taking point following his spell as a midfielder under Roy Hodgson at Euro 2016. Rooney stressed on Tuesday he would play in any position decided by interim manager Gareth Southgate, even if that meant settling for place on the substitutes bench. Jamie Vardy, Jordan Henderson, Wayne Rooney, Dele Alli and Theo Walcott in training at St Georges Park ahead of Englands match against Malta But when asked whether he felt Rooney was still a big player for England, Stones said: Definitely. He has been throughout the years. Every player goes through up and down patches. Waynes always fully focused when he comes here and is a key player, as is everyone in my eyes.Stones added: I dont think you get the 115 plus caps that hes got [if youre not important]. Hes an experienced player that knows the game inside out and theres not only him, I could fire off a good few names. Stones has credited the senior England players for helping the younger players in the squad They [the experienced players] are massive for me and the rest of the young boys coming through, giving us pointers in game situations and when things are not going so well. Theyve been there and been through those experiences before, its kind of new for us in some respects. They are massive to the group and its great that we get along, no matter what age you are, club you play for or if youre a new player to the squad, everyone seems to gel in quite quickly which is great. Weve got a great team spirit about us. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. England face Malta on Saturday at Wembley in their first fixture since the departure of Sam Allardyce last week and the subsequent appointment of Southgate.Stones, who featured under Southgate for the U21s, was full of praise for the 46-year-old and revealed the lengths in which he goes to ensure every player feels settled in the squad. Meal times, down times, he is always making time to spend a few minutes to see how you are, how you are doing at your club and what he expects of you here, Stones said. I think we all know what we expect from each other, but its good to have a one-to-one conversation with the manager, see what his thoughts are and see how we are moving forward. Stones also gave his backing to England interim manager Gareth Southgate Hes always been around the place, coming into our dressing room seeing all the senior boys. Its all familiar faces and it is good to come in and feel relaxed in your environment, knowing how he works. He knows us having come to many Premier League games, I am sure. Its been a good few days and all the boys are getting on, were really enjoying it. You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Rooney: Ill play where picked FA to delay manager search Rashford will be a superstar WATCH: Rashford rejoins U21s. Ian Desmond Jersey . The 31-year-old Russian dominated the No. 3-ranked Ferrer throughout, breaking the defending champion and local favourite four times on the indoor hard court. Pat Valaika Jersey . John Albert Elway, 24, was booked into jail early Saturday morning after an incident near a college campus in downtown Denver, according to jail records. http://www.rockiesgearproshop.com/Customized/ . -- Mixed martial arts fighter Cristiane Justino Santos has been suspended and fined for testing positive for steroids.For those who dont remember, Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006. The 81-point performance is the second-highest total in NBA history, behind Wilt Chamberlains 100-point game. Warning: the video below may cause distress for Raptors fans. Chris Rusin Jersey. Bryant went on to describe how he used an old Lakers game to teach his daughter a lesson about losing."This is how you lose, honey.""And this is how you win!" Cheap Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Marlins Jerseys Cheap Mets Jerseys Cheap Phillies Jerseys Cheap Nationals Jerseys Cheap Cubs Jerseys Cheap Reds Jerseys Cheap Brewers Jerseys Cheap Pirates Jerseys Cheap Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Rockies Jerseys Cheap Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Padres Jerseys Cheap Giants Jerseys ' ' '