the end of the season if he is to lead the country at this summer's European Championships.
Rooney is recovering from a knee injury that looks set to keep him out until April.
Hodgson said Rooney was a key figure to his England side and would be his captain, if he proved his fitness.
"He has got to come back before the end of the season - there is no doubt about that," The Guardian quoted Hodgson, who was speaking at a UEFA workshop in Paris.
Rooney has been criticised this season for his performances with United, for whom he has scored just seven goals in 22 league appearances.
But Hodgson said the 30-year-old, who played his first major championship 12 years ago in Portugal, remained an integral part of his plans.
"Form is transient," Hodgson said. "His qualities, and the fact he is captain of England, is not transient. That is a given.
"There is no way I should be looking to dismiss a Wayne Rooney who is fit and playing football on the basis he is out of form, because he is our captain.
"What he has got to try and do is get fit so I can pick him and then show enough form when he is with us to demand a place in the team - that is what Wayne fully understands."
The FA quoted Hodgson as saying he was in constant touch with United about Rooney's recovery.
"Our doctor speaks to the club doctor, and we were told that it was probably going to take six weeks - at the very, very worst or could take a week or two more, which would take him into the first week of April."
Hodgson also offered hope to two other players recovering from injuries, with Arsenal's Jack Wilshere and Manchester United's Luke Shaw both in the hunt, if they could get back on the pitch for their respective clubs.
Midfielder Wilshere has not played this season after breaking his leg during summer while defender Shaw also broke his leg in September.
Neither man will be fit for this month's friendlies with Germany and the Netherlands
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