Rooney and the selected English members of Chelsea's Champions League winning team will miss the friendly trip to Oslo on May 26, but will join up with the rest of the squad three days later.

Hodgson told The Sunday Telegraph: "He has a minor injury. I won't go into it because (Sir) Alex (Ferguson) kept it quiet and so will I, but it is a minor injury which will benefit from a few days' rest.

"He won't be involved in the Norway game and whether he is involved for Belgium, I don't know.

"He will certainly be with us by then but whether I select him or not, I don't know at this stage.

"He's not coming to Oslo so he will join up with us the same time as the Champions League players, on Tuesday May 29."

The former West Bromwich Albion manager has selected Rooney for Euro 2012 in the knowledge he will miss the opening two group games through suspension, but will be able to play against Ukraine.

Hodgson believes playing the Manchester United ace against Norway or Belgium will be counterproductive as he looks for the best formation and personnel to qualify from Group D.

The England boss also said he spoke with Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp about the selection of forward Jermain Defoe.

Hodgson added: "I spoke to Harry about him. I was concerned about him not playing every game and not starting that often. Harry made it clear it wasn't because he didn't think he was a good player.

"It was that he was playing with Emmanuel Adebayor and wanted Rafael van der Vaart in the team and that precludes his presence."

Hodgson also said he did not ask Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes to come out of international retirement.