ROY Hodgson has expressed his pleasure that Wayne Rooney has settled his future before the World Cup and believes the Manchester United striker could be England’s captain for the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Hodgson insists current skipper Steven Gerrard may still be involved but views Rooney as a future captain.

The England boss has no doubts that Rooney would have been focused on the World Cup even if he had not signed a new deal with United but is pleased the five-and-ahalf year contract for the striker removes any uncertainty.

Hodgson, speaking in Nice after the Euro 2016 draw, said: ‘‘I trust Wayne and even if his future hadn’t been settled in this way he could have still focused on the World Cup.

‘‘It must be nice for him to know he’s committed the bulk of his best playing years to Manchester United and England, so we’re very happy for him and for Manchester United and ourselves.

‘‘Wayne, I’m sure, is a future captain of England because we are losing some of the famous players of the past who have served England so well.

‘‘Steven Gerrard’s playing magnificently for Liverpool and has been a major factor in their season so far, and I wouldn’t want to write him off for Euro 2016. But when the day comes for Gerrard to hang up his boots, Wayne will be straight in there I’m sure.’’ Hogdson was delighted England have drawn Switzerland, the side he managed when they qualified for the 1994 World Cup and Euro 96.

‘‘From an emotional, sentimental and nostalgic point of view, Switzerland was always something special,’’ he added.

‘‘I was pleased to see them coming out of the hat even though they are having some success and are ranked high in the FIFA rankings.’’ Euro 2016 qualifiers will also see UEFA’s ‘week of football’ idea put into action, with matches taking place every day from the Thursday to Tuesday of double-header international weeks.

Hodgson, however, foresees some problems for England if they have to play an important game on the Thursday evening.

He said: ‘‘The major problem for us is that often before we get together with England, Sky Sports have their socalled Super Sunday matches often involving the best teams playing each other.

‘‘If they are going to be playing on Sunday and we are playing on the Thursday then from a selfish point of view that is not going to be advantageous.

But it’s not all about what England want, it’s what’s best for other countries and I’m more than happy to go along with it.’’ Switzerland should be England’s biggest challenge, having secured a 2-2 draw at Wembley in qualifying for Euro 2012.

But Slovenia proved problematic at the 2010 World Cup when England squeaked home 1-0.

Slovenia head coach Srecko Katanec believes England are not currently of the same quality as Spain and Holland.