Hodgson backs Rooney for Uruguay match

Jun 18, 2014 - 8:05 PM Manager Roy Hodgson says he's confident of a big performance from Wayne Rooney in England's World Cup crunch match against Uruguay on Friday (AEST).

Rooney's place in the England team has come under scrutiny recently after a number of indifferent displays, the latest of which came in the 2-1 defeat to Italy in Manaus.

Hodgson refused to agree with the idea that Rooney is an "exceptional" player during England's World Cup training camp in Miami.

That was interpreted as a sign that Hodgson's confidence in Rooney is on the wane, but, on the eve of England's crucial Group D match in Sao Paulo, he gave his backing to the Manchester United man.

"He came into this tournament wanting to do very well and I think he will do very well in the tournament," Hodgson told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Wayne has got broad shoulders. He's getting a lot of support from everyone around him.

"We've got a very clear perspective as to what Wayne is and what Wayne can do.

"We're hoping for big things from him."

Paul Scholes has been Rooney's most surprising critic of late, claiming prior to the World Cup that his former team-mate might be past his best.

But Hodgson will not listen to the naysayers. The England manager is expected to start Rooney in Sao Paulo, possibly down the middle, rather than on the left, where he played against Italy.

Hodgson has every reason to give Rooney his backing.

After all, Rooney scored seven goals in qualifying, including the vital header that put England ahead in their must-win clash against Poland last October.

"He's been the top assist player in my two years (as England manager) and he has more goals than everyone else," Hodgson said.

"Were it not for his wonderful header against Poland we might not even be here."

As it stands, victories against Uruguay, who have Luis Suarez available, and Costa Rica would definitely send England through.

Suarez is to expected to play after keyhole surgery on his left knee but Urugruay's Diego Lugano will miss the match due to a knee injury.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said Suarez had recovered well from last month's operation - but he refused to confirm whether he would play on Thursday.

"He has recovered very well. His knee seems to have adapted with the training and the work he's been doing. He's been training and playing with his team-mates during this last week," he said.

"Obviously a training session is not the same as a game. If he plays tomorrow we must consider the possibility that he's not as fit as he was during the Premier League.

"But still, even if he's not at 100 per cent he's somebody who can give a lot to his team."

Suarez trained alongside Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani and was moving freely at a cold and wet Corinthians Arena as they went through a one-touch possession exercise.

Veteran forward Diego Forlan, who started in last Saturday's 3-1 loss to Costa Rica, worked out with a separate group, suggesting a Suarez-Cavani partnership for the South American champions against England.

Uruguay will be also without fullback Alvaro Pereira because of his red card in the first game.

Despite Lugano's absence, Tabarez was upbeat about his side's prospects.

"It does not change the way we go about planning for the game," he said. "We don't know when (Lugano) will be back, his recuperation will be day to day."

Source: AAP