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Rooney in strife?

Rooney doubt for England

09/06/2010 12:53:09 AM

Wayne Rooney will travel with England to Switzerland for their Euro 2012 qualifier on Tuesday amid claims that his marriage is on the verge of collapse.

Manager Fabio Capello holds fears that the Manchester United striker will not be ready for the match after it was alleged that Rooney was involved in a sex scandal while his wife Coleen was pregnant with her first child.

England were 4-0 winners against Bulgaria on Friday with striker Jermain Defoe netting a hat-trick to boost spirits after their disappointing 2010 World Cup campaign.

Despite the scoreline indicating England were dominant, Bulgaria were threatening at one stage and if it wasn't for England shot-stopper Joe Hart the score could have been very different.

Hart made two outstanding saves in his first competitive appearance and won Capello's admiration.

"I remember when I selected him two years ago he was not the same player," Capello said.

"He did not have the same focus on games or training. He probably started to play in the first XI too early. He started to think 'I am the best'. You have to understand what happens in the mind of the young player. Sometimes it is this. But in two years he has come back."

The Italian boss feels that Hart's year he spent with Premier League side Birmingham City on loan from Manchester City has played a big part in his development.

"Joe Hart is a really good keeper," he said.

"He improved a lot last year when he played at Birmingham. That was a really important period for him. With any young player, the most important thing is his quality. Now it is really up to him."

Hart will face a Swiss strike-force containing Alexander Frei, who missed a penalty and was booed from the field in their international friendly against Australia on Friday.

Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld rested midfield maestro Tranquilo Barnetta and first-choice keeper Diego Benaglio for the match and will be hoping Gelson Fernandes can continue his bright start in a new left-back position.

Fernandes may be required to mark Manchester City's Adam Johnson which could prove a tricky task.

Against the Socceroos, Xavier Margairaz looked likely in an advanced midfield position and may trouble an England defence that will be missing first-choice centre-backs John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.

England will not take their opponents lightly, knowing that they are capable of an upset as proved by their 1-0 victory over eventual winners Spain in their opening group match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

 

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