Source: Daily_Mail
Roo: Don't boo! Terry taunts will hurt us all, says Wayne before Wembley clash
Go easy on him: John Terry[LNB]Wayne Rooney has urged England's fans not to turn on John Terry on Wednesday night amid concerns that supporters are preparing to shower the disgraced former skipper with abuse at Wembley.[LNB]Terry will be bracing himself for a hostile reception in the wake of the scandal that caused Fabio Capello to strip him of the England captaincy.[LNB]But, on a day when Rooney echoed Capello in admitting that England's players have to accept they are role models - and insisted he had changed his ways in acknowledgement of this - he urged the fans who have just voted him their Player of the Year to lay off Terry.[LNB]'I hope the fans don't boo him because I have played in England teams when some of our own players have been booed and it's not nice for the whole team, not just the player who has been booed,' said Rooney, who expects to play in tomorrow night's friendly against Egypt after a scan revealed that he had suffered nothing more than bruising on his injured knee.[LNB]'When you are leading up to a World Cup you want the fans behind you, giving you their whole support. I think that will be really important so I hope he gets a good reception.'[LNB]Manager Capello was planning to address the squad on their responsibility as England players on Monday night, having spoken to them briefly before training and reminding them of the importance of focusing on the World Cup. But Rooney said he was confident the Terrygate saga had not caused any major disruption to England's preparation for South Africa.[LNB]'I haven't spoken to any of the other players about what has gone on,' he said. 'But since we met up last night it has been no different really. Everyone has spoken like they always did and the atmosphere has been no different. I don't think it will have an effect.[LNB]'I don't think a change in captain will be disruptive either. John Terry is a great captain and a leader and whether he has the armband or not he will still be a great leader for us at the World Cup. At the same time Rio Ferdinand has obviously captained Manchester United to Champions League success and Steven Gerrard has done the same at Liverpool. We have some great captains in the team and I don't think we will be short. [LNB]'But we are still happy to have John around. He is a great player and if we are going to win the World Cup we will need John Terry.'[LNB] All smiles: Wayne Rooney speaks to the media ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Egypt[LNB]Rooney accepted the England manager was right to raise the issue of personal behaviour.[LNB]'It is difficult as a footballer because you know people look up to you,' he said. 'You are role models, whether you like it or not, and you need to try and be aware of that and try to do your best on the pitch and try and do things well for kids to see.[LNB]'When I first joined Manchester United I would go out to nightclubs, but it is very rare that I would go out to a nightclub now. It changes with age. I made that decision myself. I got into a few things that I shouldn't have when I was younger and I tried to change that.[LNB]'I am settled at home now. It's good. I am enjoying my life with my family. I spend a lot of time at home with them and that has obviously benefited me. When you are home you get your rest and it is definitely helping.'[LNB]Last night, as the squad underwent altitude testing at their hotel as part of the preparations for South Africa, there was a further injury concern, this time with regard to Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, who is struggling with a groin problem. [LNB] PICTURE SPECIAL: Tattooed England stripped bare as new red World Cup kit is revealedI'm ready for Roo-mania! Wayne refuses to feel strain as he gears up for 100 days of World Cup hype Wayne Rooney insists he'll be fit for England despite aggravating knee in Manchester United Carling Cup triumphShamed Terry no longer commands team-mates' respect, claims DesaillyPICTURED: Manchester City defender Bridge REFUSES to shake Terry's handREVEALED: How the referee spared the blushes of of both Bridge and TerryEngland face fight to hold on to Fabio as Juventus line up summer move for boss [LNB]
