Former England midfielder and current football pundit Ray Wilkins has insisted that England must take forward Wayne Rooney to the European Championships 2012, even if he is banned for the group stage.
Rooney received an initial three game ban for his sending off against Montenegro in England’s final qualifying game, ruling him out of the entire group phase of Euro 2012. Despite some calls for manager Fabio Capello to bring in a player with no suspension in his place, Wilkins says bringing the Manchester United striker is a must, even if his suspension is increased in the appeal hearing on 8th December in Nyon:
“I would take Wayne Rooney even if his ban was extended to four matches because of a frivolous appeal. It is hard to predict how long the ban will end up being, but I would take him regardless. Rooney is truly world class, and England cannot afford to not take him to Euro 2012. I would like to think that we can progress through from the group stages, and Rooney will be better for the freshness that he will have as a result of not playing in every game… Rooney is the one player that will be very much feared by other countries.”
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