Keeping his head: Rooney nets the opener against Switzerland

It also helps that, as well as a wise old manager, Rooney is playing under a skipper who has been through much the same experience.

John Terry was at Rooney’s side when the players arrived for training at the City Stadium here and, while it might be hard to imagine them quoting Philip Larkin, the England captain will certainly have a degree of empathy with his international colleague.

Capello would probably argue that none of it really matters so long as his players regain the confidence they suddenly lost against Wales last month and secure a draw or better against a team that held them to a goalless draw at Wembley a year ago.

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