Opening the door: Wayne Rooney will miss the first two games of Euro 2012

Milner also gave his opinion on the appointment of Capello’s  successor: in his view, the next manager does not necessarily have to be English. ‘It’s an England team full of England players,’ he said. ‘But as players you want the best man for the job. You just want the best people you can, from the manager to the physio to the kit man.’

On a positive note, Rooney declared yesterday that the squad, at least, is in better shape than two years ago.

‘As a team we go to the Euros better off,’ he said. ‘I feel we’ll be a lot better than we were against Germany at the World Cup. The goal is to try to win the competition — it’s been a long time since England won one.

‘Hopefully we can do well in the two matches I’ll miss. Then  hopefully the manager brings me back and I’ve got a chance to help us do well. That’s obviously my aim. I think, as a team, we aim to try to do that. It will be down to the new manager who he takes to the finals.’

First, though, the current  manager needs to help Welbeck establish himself as an England centre forward.

« Previous1234Next »