Wayne Rooney has insisted he has made no demands ahead of his controversial recall for England in their friendly against the USA on Thursday night.
The possibility of giving him the No 10 shirt and the captain's armband has been mooted but Rooney said he will be happy simply to get some time on the field.
'As I said to Gareth, whatever he wants from me in the game is what I'll try to give him,' he said.
'I saw this stuff about should he wear the No 10? Should he wear the armband? I'm not making any demands. I said to Gareth you get what you need from the game and when it's right to bring me on then you can do that.'
Responding the widespread criticism of the decision to give Rooney a 120th cap when he retired from international football 15 months ago, England's record goalscorer said: 'Everyone is entitled to their opinions. The most important thing, speaking with the FA we both felt it was right.
'The players, the FA have spoken to, felt it was right. I hope in 10 or 15 years' time, say Harry Kane goes on to break the goalscoring record, we're sat here doing the same.
'The money we're raising for the children, and the Wayne Rooney Foundation, was important to me as well.
'It's nice to be back here. Nice to see all the players and the staff. The reception they gave me was fantastic.
'We were speaking for 12 months about different ideas. There was an opportunity before the World Cup that I didn't feel was the right time.
'The players were obviously preparing for the biggest tournament in football and it didn't feel right to get in the way of that.
'This felt like the right time. My season is over in the US and it's a friendly match before the lads play Croatia.
'It will be strange. But it's something I'm looking forward to – something I'm extremely proud of.'
Rooney praised Southgate as a 'fearless' England manager, crediting him for the way he has given young players the chance to shine in the England shirt. He also said he would finish his career in the MLS.
And he said he had only one regret reflecting on his England career.
'The only one I had was not having that last game to say thank you to the fans,' he said.
Rooney also confirmed that he plays to finish his playing career in the United States, ruling out the possibility of moving back to England for a loan move this winter.
'I think I made the decision to go to the States and when I make a decision, I tend to stick with it, ' he said.
'It is important I give my full commitment to DC. I have seen talk about a loan move but I am not prepared to do it.
'I am finding my feet in the States and my children go to school there. It wouldn't be fair to them. I will finish my career there.'