The Arsenal legend believes the experience of the Manchester United striker will be crucial for Roy Hodgson’s side.

But Henry also backed Tottenham forward Harry Kane to make an impact in France throughout the tournament.

He told Sky Sports: "I have to mention Harry Kane. You finally have a guy who can bail you out in some games. If you are defending you know he can always score at any moment.

"I would also like to mention Wayne Rooney. Is he going to start? That is going to be Roy Hodgson's problem throughout the whole tournament because I'm sure the press and the fans are going to argue that throughout the whole tournament.

"Rooney is going to be key, even though he is not playing. To be in and around the youngsters will be key.

"We saw with Tottenham recently, for example, that those youngsters can be mentally weak sometimes.

"Rooney, who has the experience of playing in a lot of tournaments and being sent off against Portugal, is vital in that dressing room. How many guys have been in big tournaments before?

"Is he going to start? I don't know. If you play Spain or Germany who are going to come onto you and have possession you need some speed to go on the counter then maybe he won't play, but you need to have him around."

England start their Euro 2016 campaign against Russia tomorrow night in Marseille.

After that they face fellow home nation Wales and finally Slovakia as they look to make the last 16 of the tournament in France.

The hosts officially open Euro 2016 tonight when they take on Romania.