Capello boosted by Rooney

Italian keeps door open for Beckham

Last updated: 3rd September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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England coach Fabio Capello is encouraged by Wayne Rooney's return to goalscoring form ahead of Friday's Euro 2012 qualifier with Bulgaria.

Rooney ended his five-month goal drought with the opening goal from the penalty spot for Manchester United in last weekend's win over West Ham.

Capello was glad to see the hit-man back on the scoresheet after a disappointing World Cup campaign for England's talisman.

"I monitored him during the last game that he played against West Ham," said Capello.

Back

"He's good, he's back and I'm happy because he scored a goal.

"Rooney runs a lot around the pitch, he's free to move where he decides to go. Rooney will play tomorrow in style."

Capello also reiterated that the door remains opens for David Beckham to return to the England fold.

The Italian appeared to call time on Beckham's international career prior to last month's friendly win over Hungary when he revealed he planned to use younger players for the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

However, he revealed over the weekend that LA Galaxy star Beckham could still be involved in his plans and he has again insisted his door remains open to all players.

"The door is open for all the players, always," suggested Capello. "I prefer at this moment to choose young players."

Fitness boost

Meanwhile, Capello has been handed a boost with the news Everton defender Phil Jagielka should be fit to play after recovering from an ankle injury.

Jagielka, who is in line to start in the absence of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, had been regarded doubtful after missing training earlier this week, but he has able to take part in Thursday's training session.

With Jagielka fit to play, Capello admits he is close to knowing what his starting XI will be at Wembley with the Italian waiting on one player.

"The keeper, (Joe) Hart, Rooney, Steve (Gerrard), (Gareth) Barry, (Ashley) Cole, (Glen) Johnson, Jagielka, more or less. I know 10 or 11, with a little doubt about one," Capello added.

"The training was really good, the players are okay and some problems we had in the last two days are getting better.

"(Jagielka) is fit, he trained well, there is a little bit of pain but I think for tomorrow he will be 100%."

Comments (6)

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John Hellens (Sunderland fan) says...

Based on form it should be Bent and Zamora up front, plus I think dropping Rooney may give him a wake up call. Agree Walcott has to play as well - all these guys are chewing at the bit for a chance. It was time to move on from the ''Golden'' era BEFORE the World Cup, carrying on with players who dont seem to care about playing for their country are poisoning the new generation.

Posted 18:21 2nd September 2010

Chris Coleman (Arsenal fan) says...

hardley back to goal scoring form. A penalty really doesn''t count. Take a look at Theo four goals in the first three games!! Now that''s finding goal scoring form!!

Posted 15:15 2nd September 2010

Ben Jones (Arsenal fan) says...

Haha what a joke. Rooney is clearly not in form and even if he was it is clear that even in form England players didn''t care to play international football. Who knows, maybe one day England will be smart enough to play the B team just to see some fight, drive and passion from our players.

Posted 15:13 2nd September 2010

Chris Wilson (Newcastle United fan) says...

i agree, Wayne Rooney is in terrible form but no matter what he does he is always being praised or excuses made for him. When is someone going to have the bottle to drop him then he might start playing to the standard we no he can!!

Posted 15:10 2nd September 2010

Lucas Ko (Manchester United fan) says...

the whole 5 months wasn''t in the middle of the season! who else in your mind better than Rooney for England team! He is not just to score goals, he runs, he tackles, he crosses, he assist, he can hit diagonal balls like Shcoles! Top of that.. Football Intelligence is the matter of Wayne! Who else got that????

Posted 14:48 2nd September 2010

Degsy Ainger (Newcastle United fan) says...

Goalscoring FORM?!? Are you kiding me? He doesn''t score in 5 months, then he scores a penalty, and this qualifies for goalscoring form? It''s like saying Wigan''s goalkeeper makes a save and now he''s premiership keeper of the month! .....

Posted 14:34 2nd September 2010
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