Wayne Rooney will return to action with England on Thursday night in a surprise international comeback.

With 53 goals and 119 caps to his name, Rooney has netted more times for the Three Lions than anyone else and boasts the highest number of caps for an outfield player.

In an international career now spanning 15 years there are always going to be ups and downs.

Here, ahead of his one-off return in Thursday’s friendly against the United States, Press Association Sport looks at the personal highs and lows of Rooney’s England story.

HIGH –

Becomes the youngest player to play for England in February 2003 at 17 years and 111 days in a friendly defeat against Australia.

Rooney made his England debut as a fresh-faced 17-year-old in a 2003 friendly against Australia.
Rooney made his England debut as a fresh-faced 17-year-old in a 2003 friendly against Australia (Nick Potts/PA)

HIGH –

Sets the record for the youngest scorer in finals history with two goals in the 3-0 win over Switzerland at Euro 2004 in Portugal, only to see the record broken four days later. Goes on to score twice in England’s final group match, a 4-2 win over Croatia.

Rooney enjoyed a fine tournament at Euro 2004.
Rooney enjoyed a fine tournament at Euro 2004 (Owen Humphreys/PA)

LOW –

Suffers a foot injury as England lose their Euro 2004 quarter-final to hosts Portugal in a penalty shoot-out.

Injury to Portugal brought and end to Rooney's tournament - and England's hopes.
Injury to Portugal brought an end to Rooney’s tournament – and England’s hopes (Owen Humphreys/PA)

LOW –

Is shown a red card in the World Cup 2006 quarter-final defeat to Portugal for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho, also becoming involved in an altercation with Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo following the incident. To add insult to injury England lose on penalties and Rooney is fined by FIFA.

Cristiano Ronaldo felt Rooney's wrath after his red card against Portugal at the 2006 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo felt Rooney’s wrath after his red card against Portugal at the 2006 World Cup (Martin Rickett/PA)

LOW –

Sent off in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro for a foul on Miodrag Dzudovic and banned for the first three games of the finals in Poland and Ukraine, subsequently reduced to two on appeal.

Another red card as Rooney is sent off for kicking out at Miodrag Dzudovic on Montenegro.
Another red card as Rooney is sent off for kicking out at Miodrag Dzudovic on Montenegro. (Owen Humphreys/PA)

HIGH –

Wins his 100th England cap in November 2014 and scores a penalty as England defeat Slovenia in a Euro 2016 qualifier.

Another international goal for Rooney on his 100th England appearance.
Another international goal for Rooney on his 100th England appearance. (Nick Potts/PA)

HIGH –

In September 2015, breaks Sir Bobby Charlton’s England scoring record with his 50th goal in a Euro 2016 qualifying match against Switzerland.

A 50th England goal moves Rooney clear as the all-time leading goalscorer for the Three Lions.
A 50th England goal moves Rooney clear as the all-time leading goalscorer for the Three Lions (Mike Egerton/PA)

HIGH –

Earns his 116th cap in September 2016 to make him England’s most-capped outfield player.

A win against Slovakia under Sam Allardyce saw Rooney become England's most-capped outfield player.
A win against Slovakia under Sam Allardyce saw Rooney become England’s most-capped outfield player (Nick Potts/PA)