Rooney has got time on his side

SOL CAMPBELL insisted Wayne Rooney should not be “destroyed” by being rushed into the England side as Michael Owen also spoke from experience in urging a cautious attitude to the teenage striker.

Rooney, 17, earned his second cap as a substitute in the 2-0 win against Liechtenstein, with Bobby Robson among those in favour of giving him his first start in tomorrows Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey.

To pick Rooney in such a vital game would nevertheless be something of a gamble for a cautious coach like Sven-Goran Eriksson, who looks set to have Emile Heskey available after a knee problem.