Liverpool's Jordan Henderson will wear the skipper's armband with Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier replacing Rooney who will start from the bench in Ljubljana.

"It's very straightforward really, we have looked at Slovenia and the way they play and from midway through last week I had in mind the profile of the midfield that I wanted to play and what was needed for this game," Southgate said.

"In no way is it a reflection on Wayne's performance on Saturday (against Malta), in fact we were very pleased with what he did."

Rooney, who turns 31 later this month, was booed by a minority of home fans late on in the 2-0 victory over Malta at Wembley that left England top of their group with two wins.

The Manchester United player is England's most capped outfield player, with 117 appearances, and all-time top scorer but his recent form has been indifferent and he has been substitute in United's last three games.

It's football. He has got 23 players to select from. I've played 13 years non-stop for England and given everything and the time comes when you are not the first name on the team sheet. It is a chance for other players.- Rooney

He has scored just once in 12 matches this season and has netted only one goal in the last seven internationals.

Rooney, sitting alongside Southgate, said: "It's football. He has got 23 players to select from. I've played 13 years non-stop for England and given everything and the time comes when you are not the first name on the team sheet," .

"It is a chance for other players.

"Of course, you want to be on the pitch but my role as captain won't change off the pitch. I will be supporting the players 100 percent, and hopefully we can get the win." 

HENDERSON READY

Southgate, who took over on an interim basis when Sam Allardyce's 67-day reign as England boss ended after he was caught up in a newspaper sting, said Henderson had proved as Liverpool captain that he was ready to lead his country.

However, Southgate added that it had been a "hard decision" to leave Rooney out.

"It is a football decision. It's based on the opposition. On a human level it's a very difficult decision because I don't like some people getting an element of satisfaction that he's not in the team," Southgate said.

"I am probably more annoyed on that than he is because he has had to deal with that throughout his career."

While Rooney has been used in a deeper role for England, Tottenham's Dier is a natural holding midfielder.

"I think it's clear that you are talking about two different profiles of player. Different attributes," Southgate said.

"That's the basis of the decision. It was pretty obvious that Eric would come into the game."