England pair back Rooney to perform
England manager Fabio Capello has joined his captain Steven Gerrard in insisting that striker Wayne Rooney will be able to focus on the task ahead of him in the team's qualifier against Switzerland on Tuesday evening.
The pair spoke to the press after Rooney was subject to extensive scrutiny in the English press surrounding an alleged affair with a prostitute.
Capello had been afraid the story would prevent Rooney from turning in a focused display against the Swiss, but after seeing Monday's training session, the Italian was reassured that Rooney is fit to start.
"He was very good in training and will be in a good situation," the manager said. "I hope his performance will be the same as at Wembley. I spoke with him and he is happy to play. We are focused on the game, not about the private life of the players. We are here to play this game and train very well."
Rooney was instrumental in England's opening qualifier against Bulgaria on Friday, where he was involved in all four of England's goal and came close to scoring with a bold chip from outside the penalty box.
Gerrard expects trademark Rooney
Gerrard said that Rooney had seemed to be doing "fine" during England's training, and that he believed playing Tuesday's qualifier could help him get his mind off the press's allegations.
"I think football can do that for you. If you have got an issue off the pitch, football can be a release," Gerrard said. Wayne is a big character. You expect big performances from Wayne every time he steps on the pitch. He is a world-class player. You saw that against Bulgaria. I expect another big performance from Wayne like I do every time I play with him."
Meanwhile, Swiss coach Omar Hitzfeld remarked that the media's intense speculation could see Rooney off-balance in Basel. It is now up to Rooney to give his answer on the pitch.
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