Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC's Tim Howard hails England’s Wayne Rooney as world's best striker
TIM HOWARD has hailed Wayne Rooney as the best striker in the world as he prepares to face his former team-mate on Saturday.[LNB]Everton's goalkeeper will come face to face with the former Goodison prodigy during England's opening World Cup game against the USA in Rustenburg on Saturday.[LNB]Howard, 31, has first-hand experience of Rooney from their two years together at Manchester United before he moved to Everton in 2006 after the signing of Edwin van der Sar.[LNB]He believes there is none better than the 24-year-old who is pivotal to England's hopes of glory in South Africa.[LNB] But Howard has also been impressed by the current USA strike partnership of Edson Buddle and Robert Findley who looked sharp during the weekend victory over Australia in Johannesburg. He said: 'I get asked if I am looking forward to facing Wayne Rooney. I don't think I ever look forward to facing Wayne Rooney.[LNB]'He is the best striker in the world and has enjoyed a fantastic season. He is a fantastic player, so I'll be very careful what I say. But we also have Edson and Robbie who are playing fantastic together, individually and collectively, with the way they are linking up.[LNB]'They looked dangerous against Australia and hopefully they will be dangerous for a few more games coming up. It seems everything Edson touches is a goal and Robbie is creating so many chances. It is important the guys are clicking for what is basically a three-game tournament [to qualify] - and those guys are at the moment.'[LNB]Howard is disappointed that another former United team-mate in England skipper Rio Ferdinand will miss the tournament through his knee ligament injury suffered in training on Friday.[LNB]But he is confident Fabio Capello's side will recover from this setback in time for the USA clash.
