'Wayne Rooney is the one world-class striker England have' – Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp urges Fabio Capello to take Manchester United man to Euro 2012

Spurs manager would not pick the suspended forward before the tournament so that the side can learn to play without him, but says his quality will be vital in knockout games

14 Oct 2011 10:54:00

By Matt Scott

More On :  England, Wayne Rooney, Harry Redknapp
Wayne Rooney, England
Getty Images
Harry Redknapp has expressed his belief that Wayne Rooney should be included in England's Euro 2012 squad despite being banned for the group stage in Ukraine and Poland.
Don't Miss

The Manchester United striker has been suspended for the first three games of the competition after kicking out at an opponent during England's final qualification game.

Rooney is able to play in friendly fixtures prior to the tournament, but Redknapp believes he should not be used until he has seen out his suspension.

He wrote in The Sun: "Fabio Capello has to make a decision now and if I were England manager I wouldn't start Wayne Rooney in any international from now until the Euro 2012 tournament but we should definitely still take him to the finals.

"Rooney is the one world-class striker England have, which is why he simply has to go to Euro 2012 and why the Football Association were spot on in writing to Uefa to back him over his sending off.

"England should be strong enough to get through the group without Rooney and then we'll have him raring to go in the later stages.

"What that means in the short term is that Capello has to devise a plan of how to play without his star striker.

"I was seriously shocked when I heard he'd copped a three-game ban, I have sympathy for him but those are the rules so he must accept it.

"It is a painful, painful lesson for Rooney that he cannot do things like that.

"However, England needs Rooney and Rooney needs England.

"And, let's be honest, the European Championship needs Rooney because he is one of the biggest names in world football — for whatever reason."

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
 
play pause open close
 

EURO 2012 Live Update

Read More »
21:50 BST -  And here are some quotes from today's goalscorer, Danny Welbeck: "It's still the same, me and Ashley [Young] playing together.

"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.

"So, it was really good to start up top with him."

Inside Goal.Com

  1. Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line

    England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012

  2. The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution

    The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market

  3. Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job

    The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday

  4. Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms

    The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield

  5. The definitive timeline of FSG's hunt for new manager The definitive timeline of FSG's hunt for new manager

    Kenny Dalglish's sacking at the end of the season sparked a massive hunt for the next Anfield boss, and the former Swansea man has been chosen after several turned the job down