Source: Daily_Mail
Wayne Rooney will be ready for Switzerland, insists Fabio Capello
Fabio Capello has backed Wayne Rooney to fire against Switzerland tomorrow night - despite the storm surrounding his private life.[LNB]Rooney was the subject of Sunday newspaper allegations after being accused of sleeping with a prostitute behind the back of his wife, who was pregnant at the time.[LNB] Ready for action: Wayne Rooney takes part in training on Monday[LNB]But England boss Capello says his star man is ready to face the Swiss in their crunch Euro 2012 qualifier in Basle.[LNB]'Yes, he will play,' said Capello at a press conference on Monday afternoon.[LNB]'During training he was really good and I spoke with him and he's happy to play. I know the players when they want to play - that is really important.[LNB]'Against Bulgaria he was really, really good on the pitch. He will also be in a good situation tomorrow. I hope the performance of Rooney tomorrow will be the same as at Wembley.[LNB] In the spotlight: Wayne Rooney arrives at the team hotel in Basle[LNB] [LNB]'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.' [LNB]Skipper Steven Gerrard said he expected Rooney to put the off-field matter to one side as England look to begin their qualification campaignwith back-to-back wins.[LNB]'Yeah he's got an issue off the pitch putI don't think that will stop him from playing well,' the midfielder said.[LNB]Decision: Fabio Capello[LNB]'I spoke with him today at lunchtime and in training and Wayne's been fine. He's looking forward to the game and playing well.[LNB]'I think football can do that sometimes (help you focus) if you've got an issue of the field. Once the game starts Wayne will be focused on the field and getting the three points.[LNB]'[Wayne's a big character. You expect big performances from Wayne every time he steps on the pitch. You saw that against Bulgaria. I expect another big performance from Wayne.'[LNB]Capello denied he had been more lenient with Rooney than with John Terry, whom he removed as captain following allegations about his private life.[LNB]'He was captain,' the Italian said. 'He played in all of the games, I never suspended him.'[LNB]Michael Dawson's injury means Capello will be forced to select another centre-half to play alongside Phil Jagielka and he will choose from Matthew Upson, Gary Cahill and Joleon Lescott.[LNB]While Cahill replaced Dawson at Wembley on Friday, Upson was not evenon the bench, a decision explained by the manager.[LNB]He said: 'All these players are ready to play but you can only choose 18 players.You have to decide the first 11 and the players for the bench. The mostimportant thing is that players understand what we have to do.'[LNB]Capellounderlined the importance of tomorrow's fixture, saying: 'Switzerland are the strongest team in the group. This group is very balanced so we need to win every game.[LNB] Backing: Steven Gerrard speaks during the press conference in Basle[LNB]Meanwhile, England reported a clean bill of health for their final training session before tomorrow's qualifier in Basle.[LNB]All 22 players still at Capello's disposal were put through their paces as England look to build on their 4-0 victory over Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday.[LNB]Rooney looked relaxed and played a full part in the initial part of the session made open to the large contingent of travelling media.[LNB] Wayne Rooney jets out to Switzerland as Fabio Capello gambles on striker's mind setWayne Rooney now on his knees: Scandal threatens England's new dawnRooney holds on to lucrative Nike deal despite sex scandal allegationsMARTIN SAMUEL: What HAS Capello got to learn from Wenger and co[LNB][LNB]
