England manager Fabio Capello is adamant he will get more out of Wayne Rooney when he plays alongside Emile Heskey.Rooney scored twice in England's 5-1 win over Kazakhstan on Saturday night, extending a run that has now seen him find the net in four successive games for club and country.
But it was only when the Manchester United striker was moved away from the left flank following the introduction of Shaun Wright-Phillips at half-time that he really began to prosper.
Capello feels it was no coincidence Rooney was operating in Heskey's shadow.
"Rooney is very important for us," said the England coach.
"But Heskey is important for him. Defenders always go towards Heskey. When that happens, it creates a bit of space for Rooney - whose movement is so good."
Like an errant schoolboy, if you give Rooney an inch, he will take a mile. With his talent, a lot of damage can be done in that mile.
Rooney's goal in Croatia last month was more significant for the Three Lions, but his two latest confirmed his status as a man in form.
First, the 22-year-old steered Wes Brown's teasing cross into the far corner 13 minutes from time; then he latched on to a trademark David Beckham effort, delivered precisely to the far post, and drilled that home as well.
"He is a key player for us, just as he is also very important for Manchester United," said Capello.
"Rooney is in fantastic form at the moment and is scoring a lot of goals.
"His movement and pace are excellent. He runs; he comes back to win the ball. He scores goals. He does everything. He is an example to the other players."
It is only a couple of months ago that Capello told Rooney he needed to forget about some of the more unselfish elements to his game and concentrate on the core issue of scoring goals.
At the time, it seemed Rooney was not too happy. Now he appears intent on proving he can do both.
England face a much stiffer test against Belarus on Wednesday.
A less cavalier approach will be called for, which almost certainly means Gareth Barry will keep his place after making way for Wright-Phillips at Wembley.
Capello said he cannot determine the tactical make-up of his team, and from there the personnel, until the fitness of John Terry is determined.
England do not leave for Minsk until Tuesday. But Terry would be expected to push his suspect back through at least one decent training session to deem the flight worthwhile.
Yet Capello's willingness to give Terry every chance suggests the Italian is not entirely convinced by Matthew Upson, who edged Joleon Lescott for a starting berth on Saturday.
"I hope John Terry will be okay," said Capello.
"We have a bit of practice to do and after that we will decide."
In all probability, Terry for Upson will be the only change if the captain is fit - with a more conservative bench offering greater defensive protection.
Ten points from 12 would be a satisfactory way of concluding the 2008 qualifying schedule, especially as Ukraine and Croatia ground out a goalless draw in Kiev - a result that played right into England's hands, given their own triumph in Zagreb.
However, a little bit of history beckons because England have never before opened a World Cup qualifying campaign with four straight wins - so there is every reason to go for the jugular.
Victory would allow England to take a stranglehold on Group Six before the resumption of hostilities in March, when the Ukraine visit Wembley for what will be a crucial meeting that would go a long way towards landing a place at South Africa 2010.
But Capello is taking nothing for granted - even if Belarus' most notable player, Alexander Hleb, is a major fitness doubt.
"It is not going to be easy," said the Italian.
"Belarus are a very good team. I have seen them three times, and they played very well on each occasion.
"They are very organised with good forwards. They are a dangerous side."
by www.espnstar.com/football/world-cup/news
