HE'S the man who polarises opinion among England fans more than any other.

The one who splits the supporters down the middle. You love him or loathe him.

And, no, I'm not talking about Fabio Capello.

In comparison, there's hardly a debate to be had about the Italian boss.

The majority of us agree the Three Lions chief should have been sent packing in the summer after a dismal World Cup.

We cannot wait to see the back of him after Euro 2012.

And, no, it's not John Terry.

Most of us agree JT is seriously flawed off the pitch but we admit, some more grudgingly than others, that he is still a hell of a leader on the field - so let him get on with it.

No, this particular lad sparks more heated debate than Mrs Merton in a sauna.

He has become a national conundrum more perplexing than even the eternal "can they, can't they?" puzzle surrounding Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.

We're talking Wayne Rooney.

The wonder kid who is becoming a problem child. Well, he's not a child any more, he's 25 now, remember.

But problem, most certainly yes.

Such a problem there's now a significant section of supporters who think he should be dropped.

Which is why they booed him at the World Cup in South Africa last summer.

And they carried on barracking him around the grounds.

They feel that accommodating him into the England side is compromising the effectiveness and efficiency of the team.

They accuse him of lacking discipline both in terms of tactics and temperament.

He is accused of lacking passion for the cause.

Then, in the next breath, they moan he has too much fire in his belly when rattled by referees and opponents.

Uncomfortably they ask the question that seems to trouble even Alex Ferguson and Capello - what's Rooney's best position?

Say "out-and-out striker" and they reckon they would rather have Peter Crouch, Andy Carroll or Darren Bent.

If you say "wide left" or "wide right" you're instantly hit with another list of alternatives.

Gerrard, Theo Walcott, Adam Johnson, Ashley Young, James Milner, Stewart Downing.

OK then, as a vintage No 10 playing just behind the striker or strikers? Once again, there's a volley of dissent.

That is Lampard's best position, or Gerrard's or, more recently, where Jack Wilshere is going to strut his stuff.

Which all paints poor "Wazza" as a Jack of all trades and master of none. A once-prized player now only fit for the role of "impact sub" according to charitable critics. A has-been to be dumped and discarded to his most vociferous detractors.

And that all prompts apoplexy among Rooney's hordes of admirers. To them the Manchester United forward is beyond reproach.

He is not the problem - it's all the rest.

Starting with Capello who, to them, is too dim to see the unrivalled abilities that their hero has to offer.

Build a team around Rooney, is the cry. Our one and only truly world-class performer is the claim. His 26 goals in 70 internationals is the proof.

So, consequently, he is hailed as the man who can, and will, lead us to glory.

And that, they say, means he should be wearing the armband.

Told you opinion was divided.

Fortunately for the man in charge, the Rooney issue is one he can put to one side for a few months at least.

First, Capello says he's intent on making 11 changes to the side that beat Wales 2-0 in Saturday's one-sided Euro 2012 qualifier in Cardiff for tomorrow night's Wembley friendly with Ghana. So no Rooney to worry about there.

And the striker's first-half booking for an over-exuberant tackle on Welsh midfielder Joe Ledley means he will now miss our next qualifier against Switzerland in June.

Apparently Roo didn't realise he had already been booked in the competition - against Montenegro in October. Now that is nothing short of stupid on his part.

And it's just as stupid of Capello and his staff for not reminding one of his main 'stars' to be careful when walking a disciplinary tightrope.

So all that means we won't have the chance to see Rooney in international action again until early next season, when there is a friendly lined up against the Dutch in August.

Which conveniently means we have the perfect chance to see just how England get along without the great man in the next two games.

Then we'll all reconvene the argument this autumn.

And much will depend on how we have fared and performed in those games during his absence.

Will the "Where were you in Africa?" brigade have realised he's not so bad.

Or will they still be roaring "You let your country down" in the same unforgiving fashion?