Rooney hopes form continues

Rooney: On form

If I could beat Bobby Charlton's record, it would be a great achievement and I do have that record in mind.

Wayne Rooney
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Wayne Rooney hopes that his recent run of goalscoring heroics can continue as England close on a place in the 2010 World Cup finals.

The Manchester United striker took his international tally for the season to 10 on Wednesday as he hit a first-half brace in the 6-0 thrashing of Andorra at Wembley.

Rooney's double means he equalled the 10-goals-in-a-season record of Gary Lineker, which was set in 1991, but the 23-year-old is keen for further improvements.

England are now on the verge of guaranteeing a spot in South Africa next summer and Rooney wants to maintain his form throughout the qualifiers and beyond.

Best season

"I'm delighted I've been scoring in the last few games and have really enjoyed it," he told Sky Sports News.

"But the most important thing is that we have one foot in the World Cup finals.

"I think it has been my best season for England and I hope that can continue and that there are more goals to come."

Rooney admits he has Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time England goalscoring record in his sights.

Beckham praise

The former Everton star moved level with Sir Geoff Hurst on 24 goals for his country and is already nearly half-way towards Charlton's 49-goal haul.

He added: "If I could beat Bobby Charlton's record, it would be a great achievement and I do have that record in mind."

Rooney's form has also earned praise from team-mate David Beckham, who said: "Wayne has always performed well and is always a threat to any side.

"He has scored some really important goals, and some good goals, in the last season for Manchester United and also for England. Hopefully that continues."