Rooney promises to clean up his act

ENGLAND striker Wayne Rooney yesterday warned defenders they will be wasting their time trying to wind him up at the World Cup finals as he vowed to clean up his disciplinary act.

While the Manchester United striker insisted his team-mates would make the most of any attempt to target him, he vowed to use the frustration of his Euro 2004 injury as added inspiration to win the trophy.

In the past month, Rooney has been sent off for United after sarcastically clapping referee Kim Milton Nielsen and banned for England’s qualifier against Austria with his second booking of the campaign in Belfast.