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LONDON. — England soccer boss Roy Hodgson has challenged skipper Wayne Rooney to be a tournament winner as well as an international top scorer.

Rooney’s opening goal in the Three Lions’ 4-0 European Championship qualifying victory against Lithuania at Wembley on Friday night edged the Manchester United striker to within two goals of Old Trafford legend Sir Bobby Charlton’s all- time England record of 49.

But Hodgson insisted that, although Rooney (29) will always be remembered by future generations for his great performances, to be deemed a great means winning things at the highest international level.

As he prepared his side for the friendly against Italy in Turin tomorrow night, the England manager stated: “Bobby Charlton was arguably England’s best ever player.

‘‘If Wayne can break into that in the future when he stops playing then that’s fantastic for him.

“Bobby Charlton is up on a pedestal and it will take time for any of the modern England players to get up to that level.

“To do it I suppose the player would have to be very successful at European Championship or World Cup level as Bobby Charlton was.

“Scoring the goals Wayne has is a great achievement, too, but ideally goals have to come with success but Wayne will be remembered. We haven’t got that many players who have played 100 games for England.

“We haven’t got that many players who have captained England.”

Because of England’s growing list of injuries Rooney is likely to have Tottenham’s Harry Kane alongside him against Italy.

On paper Tuesday’s trip to Turin is a friendly – but don’t you believe it. Rooney and his merry men have some unfinished business with Italy.

As far as the England skipper is concerned it is a double mission that could put him in the record books as well as avenging a defeat that still haunts him and the country.

It’s nine months since the Italians started the demolition of England’s World Cup hopes in Brazil. Rooney has been dreaming of revenge ever since.

And talking about dreams, tomorrow’s match will also give the Manchester United man a “goalden” opportunity to equal – or even pass – the England scoring record held by Old Trafford’s other living legend, Sir Bobby Charlton.

As it stands, Rooney has scored 47 goals for his country, two fewer than Sir Bobby. If he passes his hero’s total tomorrow night then he and England will have gone some way to completing that revenge business.

It’s a tall order, of course, but one that will be in Rooney’s thoughts for the next 24 hours at least.

He says: “It’s a big test for us. It was a disappointing result against Italy in the World Cup, but this time we can show how far we’ve come as a team. We knew in Brazil we had a young squad, but we really feel we are getting better.

“We’ve got so much pace, ability and fitness in the team and I think sides will be a bit wary of us now.”

To show how far they’ve come since Brazil and for Rooney to become the country’s leading goalscorer as well? That is some dream.

“There’s no getting away from it,” he said. “It’s there and it could be on Tuesday or in the summer or after (when he gets past it). I hope so.

“I feel I have a few years left playing for England so I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get three goals in those years.

“Like getting my 100th cap it would be great to achieve the record then push on even further.

“Many players have played for England and tried to reach that record so I’m in a great position at the minute where I can do it.

“But the main aim is to keep progressing with the team and I hope my goals can do that.”

Then Rooney revealed how he had challenged that other man of the moment, Harry Kane, when the Spurs striker replaced him in the second half against Lithuania.

“I said to him when I went off ‘go and get yourself a goal’ but didn’t think he’d get it with a couple of touches. It’s great for us as a nation to have that excitement around the team and hopefully when he comes in he’ll score goals.”

In the meantime, Friday’s man of the match against Lithuania, Danny Welbeck, reiterated Rooney’s thoughts on Italy.

He said: “We’ve improved 100 per cent since the World Cup. Do we want revenge against Italy? You could say that!”

Meanwhile, England will be without in-form striker Welbeck and three other players for tomorrow’s friendly against Italy in Turin due to injuries.

Arsenal striker Welbeck limped off during England’s 4-0 win over Lithuania at Wembley on Friday with a knee problem after scoring his sixth goal in five Euro 2016 qualifiers.

Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling and Manchester City midfielder James Milner are out with toe and knee injuries respectively, while Everton left-back Leighton Baines will also miss the trip.

Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand has been called up to the squad, leaving England with 17 outfield players on duty.

England head coach Hodgson said: “We knew we were going to be losing Raheem Sterling who had an injection for an ongoing injury.” — The Daily Express.