England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
• Capacity:90,000

Mac backs misfiring Rooney

13 Oct 2007 - 10:39:56

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England head coach Steve McClaren has backed Wayne Rooney to hit top form for the national team, with the striker having struggled on the international stage in recent times.

The 21-year-old Manchester United frontman is set to start against Estonia in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier at Wembley, having failed to find the net in a competitive fixture for England since the European Championships in 2004.

Rooney himself admitted: "My England career started well, but it hasn't really been on track for the last year or two.

"I've been frustrated with my form, but it's not through lack of effort. It just makes me more determined to put it right and start scoring again."

McClaren was clearly impressed by that attitude, adding: "Wayne's lack of goals do not worry me. All I want him to do is keep playing the way he has at Manchester United.

"Wayne's comments were very honest and should be applauded.

"It's refreshing for a player to say he's disappointed with his own performance. There should be more of that.

"He's still very inexperienced and he's still very young. He has the potential to be a world-class player and knows what he has to do to realise it.

"I just want him to continue to be the threat we all know Wayne Rooney can be."

Rooney has scored 12 goals in total for England in 38 appearances to date.