Fabio Capello has axed Wayne Rooney between now and Euro 2012, insisting the Manchester United striker will not start another game after his red card in Montenegro. 

And the England manager has warned Rooney that he could find it difficult to break back into the side once he has served his ban at next summer’s tournament.  

It is a stance that’s difficult to agree with and will probably shock Rooney, but Capello feels he needs to use England’s remaining friendly games to build a new team who can start well in Poland and Ukraine.

Red mist: Wayne Rooney kicks out at Miodrag Dzudovic

That means Capello will not pick Rooney in his starting line-up against Spain next month, the game that follows a few days later, the scheduled meeting with Holland in February, or the two warm-up games that will come between the end of the domestic season and the start of Euro 2012.  

Rooney apologised to Capello and his international colleagues when they returned to the dressing room after the 2-2 draw in Podgorica secured England’s qualification.

But Capello was unimpressed — saying his ‘silly mistake’ cost England  victory — and there now appears to be a major issue of trust between the Italian and his best player.  

‘Rooney will not play against Spain,’ said Capello. ‘I want to test new players, a new style and a new movement, something different.’

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