Roo’s back in the groove, raves Capello
ENGLAND vs BULGARIA
TONIGHT, KO 8PM, ITV1
FABIO CAPELLO admitted his relief at Wayne Rooney’s return to goalscoring form and is set to keep faith with his star striker for tonight’s Euro 2012 qualifier with Bulgaria.
The Manchester United striker ended his five-month goal drought when he converted a penalty in the 3-0 win over West Ham on Saturday.
Now, Capello believes that can open the floodgates for a repeat of the World Cup qualifying campaign when Rooney finished as Europe’s top marksman.
“I monitored him during the last game that he played against West Ham. He’s good, he’s back and I’m happy because he scored a goal,” Capello said. “Rooney runs a lot around the pitch, he’s free to move where he decides to go. Rooney will play tomorrow in style.”
Rooney is without an international goal in his last ten matches for England, but Capello is convinced the 24-year-old has discovered his form at the right time.
On being informed Rooney was the bookies’ favourite to score first tonight, Capello smiled: “I hope Wayne Rooney will score. Sometimes the bookmakers find a solution.
“It was important for him to get the penalty against West Ham. It is important for every forward to score goals. It is a good moment for him and he will be okay for the game.”
Capello’s already-depleted squad suffered another casualty yesterday when goalkeeper Scott Carson was released due to a family bereavement.
He was replaced by Watford’s Under-21 keeper Scott Loach, while Ben Foster also returned to training.
Capello is, however, without John Terry and Frank Lampard for the game, but the boss accepts the Chelsea duo were right to pull out after aggravating injuries at the weekend.
“We know Frank Lampard needs an operation to be ready for his club and the next game with us,” he said. “John Terry has been playing with an injection because all the other Chelsea defenders were injured. He told us he had to stay at home because he cannot play all the games. He needs to relax in order to be fit for the next games.”