Switzerland coach hopes for Rooney advantage

06 September 2010 11:29
Ottmar Hitzfeld, the Switzerland manager, hopes the newspaper headlines surrounding England's Wayne Rooney will aid his side during Tuesday night's European Championship qualifier in Basle. Rooney was instrumental in England's 4-0 victory over Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday night, but Sunday brought unwelcome stories in the News of the World and Sunday Mirror newspapers of alleged infidelity with a prostitute while his wife was pregnant. "Such a thing like that will weigh on a player," said Hitzfeld. Rooney was expected to remain with the Three Lions squad on Monday as they flew to Switzerland for the match. Despite the focus on Rooney, Hitzfeld will not allow his side to think stopping him would be enough to render his teammates ineffective. "England have always been at their strongest when they are a team, so it's the team we need to concentrate on, not individuals," he added.

Source: FOOTYMAD