FA confirm Rooney makes Swiss trip
September 06, 2010 16:43:20 UK
The Football Association have confirmed that Wayne Rooney will travel to Switzerland today ahead of England's Euro 2012 qualifier in Basle.
The 24-year-old has been the subject of intense scrutiny in his private life over the past 24 hours and there had been some speculation that the Manchester United forward might remain at home.
Full Time Result betting for the encounter has England at 2.10 to win in 90 minutes, with Switzerland 3.75 and the draw 3.10.
You can back Wayne Rooney to score the opening goal on Tuesday at odds of 5.50.
Don't forget, if the match finishes 0-0, bet365 will refund all pre-match Correct Score, Half-Time/Full-Time and Scorecast bets with our fantastic Bore Draw Money Back offer.
Coach Fabio Capello is yet to confirm whether he intends to select Rooney for what many believe will be England's most difficult qualifying game.
However, the Italian will definitely have the option as Rooney prepared to board the short flight to Switzerland this morning ahead of a training session at St Jakob Park later this afternoon.
It is hard to imagine that Rooney will be left out by Capello, given the Manchester United star's obvious talents.
The England coach will need to make sure his star man is in the right frame of mind though as his side look to build on Friday's 4-0 victory over Bulgaria.
In total, Capello has 22 men available. He decided not to call in a replacement for ankle injury victim Michael Dawson as in Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill, Matthew Upson and Joleon Lescott he already has four centre-halves.
In addition, Watford's Scott Loach will make the journey as third-choice goalkeeper as Scott Carson has withdrawn due to a family bereavement.
Meanwhile, Switzerland's London-born defender Scott Sutter this morning admitted he had been following the Rooney reports.
The Young Boys player, who made his international debut against Australia on Friday, thinks Switzerland might be able to profit from the distraction.
"Wayne Rooney is an amazing player," he said.
"When he's on his game, it is hard for anyone to stop him.
"But with these things going on in his private life, it depends how mentally strong he is and whether he can put it to the back of his mind and play like the way we know he can.
"I read all the papers online so I have been following what is going on.
"Obviously, it is a distraction and maybe he will not be as totally focussed on the game.
"We have to hope Wayne Rooney doesn't play as well as he can.
"But whether something like that will affect him, I don't know, we will see."
Wayne Rooney is currently 1213.00 to be the Premier League's Leading Goalscorer come the end of the 2010/11 season.
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