Becks backs Rooney for Istanbul

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has been urged to pick Wayne Rooney from the start in Turkey next month, with England captain David Beckham and Steven Gerrard insisting that he can handle the high pressure.

Eriksson has no worries about Rooney's temperament, being perfectly willing to throw him into the heated atmosphere awaiting his side in Istanbul.

Indeed, he believes that opponents would be happier to see the "extraordinary talent" of Rooney on the bench rather than in the starting line-up. The real question, however, will be whether Eriksson believes that England would be better served by Emile Heskey's physical presence and experience, rather than Rooney's precocious ability.