Gerrard: Rooney in the zone and ready to make a difference

One look into the eyes of Wayne Rooney has convinced England captain Steven Gerrard that the striker is ready to make an impact at Euro 2012 after ending his two game suspension.

Rooney was ruled out of the opening two games against France and Sweden after his sending-off in the qualifier against Montenegro in Podgorica eight months ago.

But head coach Roy Hodgson has confirmed Rooney will start tonight’s meeting with co-hosts Ukraine and Gerrard believes he will behave and help England’s bid to reach the quarter-finals.

Gerrard said: “Everyone knows what Wayne Rooney is all about. He certainly makes us a lot more threatening going forward and he is a world-class player.

“I know Wayne quite well, I am very close to him and I can see in his eyes that he is itching to get out there and perform. Hopefully he can play very well tomorrow night and be the difference.

“I’m not going to tell Wayne not to be fired up for this game. That is what Wayne is all about, pressing, being aggressive in the right way.

“The reason he is world-class is because of what he has shown up to today. Obviously we need him on the pitch. He is aware of that and he regrets the reaction when he got the suspension. I am sure he will behave himself well.”

Hodgson admits he faces a difficult decision in deciding whether to axe Andy Carroll or Danny Welbeck to make way for Rooney. He said: “It has become a very difficult choice because both have done so well, in friendly matches before we came to the tournament, and in the tournament itself.”

Hodgson is content that expectation levels are rising in England after the opening two games but he can give no guarantee of success even though a point will ensure a last-eight spot.

He said: “You try and play football, and international football, to try and get carried away.

“I think we’ve got to be happy expectations have risen and people are maybe thinking we can go a bit further than when we started the competition. That doesn’t mean to say we can guarantee success or fulfil those expectations.”