Wayne Rooney raring to go after enforced absence from opening matches

STV
Wayne Rooney has scored 28 goals in 74 matches for England.© SNS Group

Wayne Rooney believes that the extra two games rest he has had to endure could stand him in good stead for later in the tournament.

The Manchester United striker missed England's opening two matches after receiving a two-match ban for kicking Miodrag Dzudovic of Montenegro during qualification.

With that ban now served, Rooney is set to return to the starting line-up, and the 26-year-old believes he is better for the extra rest.

He told the official UEFA website: "You want to be out there playing of course, but I've had quite a while to get used to the fact that I'd be missing the first two games

"I've done all the training with the team and prepared as if I were playing, so I feel fresh.

"Hopefully, in some ways missing the first two games will help me in the later games in the tournament."

Roy Hodgson will have a decision to make over who takes his striking roles, with both Andy Carroll and Danny Wellbeck on target in the 3-2 victory over Sweden.

Now the England manager must choose who he will replace with his returning talisman, but Rooney welcomes the competition for places.

He said: "It's great for the team that the two lads scored the goals.

"There's competition for places now, which is great because I know if I do get in the team, I'll need to play well to stay in it.

"I think it'll only be good for the team."

While England will qualify with only a point, Rooney believes his team will be doing all they can to secure all three points so they can have a chance of topping the group.

He concluded: "We're capable of winning the game. It will be tough because obviously they've got a lot of fans there and we're playing in Ukraine, so it will be a difficult game.

"A point will get us through and if we have to take that we will, but we'll be going for the three points."

Related articles

People who read this story also read