RIO A DOUBT

Last updated : 01 April 2005 By Editor

Rio is still trying to get over 'feeling' his hamstring while playing for England on Wednesday. Although Eriksson has said that the reason he took Rooney off on Wednesday was not fitness related.

'The reason I took Rooney off was because he got a yellow card against
Azerbaijan away last October and I knew that Michael Owen couldn't play in
the next game in Wales.

'I couldn't take the risk of both of them being out for the same game, but
Wayne wouldn't have been taken off otherwise.

'He wasn't tired and he had played very well. In fact, he is an incredible talent but sometimes you have to think about the future.'

Eriksson seems to think Rooney's a bit of a player too.

"Can you look for Rooney too often? All the teams who win a big trophy have
one star who can do something extra.

"I think we have more than one star. But Wayne Rooney is something extra
and in 1½ years, when the World Cup finals come round, hopefully he will be
even better.

"I feel privileged to work with Rooney and this entire team.

"As a striker, Wayne is something very special and he will be better and
better. But we also have many players in the team who can score the winning goal."