FA prepares case for Rooney defence

The Football Association will submit their case to UEFA at the end of next week when they attempt to get Wayne Rooney back into the Euro 2012 group phase.

UEFA were notified of the FA's intention to appeal against his three-match competitive international ban ahead of the midnight deadline.

They now have six days to outline why Rooney's suspension, received for deliberately kicking Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic, should be reduced.

"We will be appealing against the three-match suspension Wayne Rooney received following the recent Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro," said a spokesman.

"We received written reasons for the red card on Tuesday afternoon and we were given until midnight to respond."

Rooney admitted his actions were "stupid" but also claimed the punishment was "a bit harsh".

"It will be a bonus if it is cut by one game," he added.

That view has been endorsed, in writing, by Dzudovic, and it is thought that will provide the central component of the FA's appeal.

The decision has been taken after it became obvious there was no risk of the ban being increased, as would be the case with the FA in a domestic appeal.

Rather than simply levy an extra penalty for a "frivolous" appeal, UEFA would launch a counter-appeal if they felt the FA had no grounds for complaint.

This would allow the FA to simply withdraw their own, leaving Rooney to accept his ban.

It is not expected Rooney will be in the squad Fabio Capello names tomorrow evening for the upcoming friendlies with world champions Spain and Sweden.

Far more interest will surround the potential inclusion of John Terry.

Support from QPR owner Tony Fernandes, whose player, Anton Ferdinand, was allegedly racially abused by Terry, is bound to strengthen what is thought to be Capello's stance, namely that the 30-year-old is innocent until proven guilty.

"There's been no hard evidence either way of John's alleged statements," Fernandes told the BBC.

"If he's the right man for the job, then he should be selected as captain."

The counter argument is that the allegations are so serious, Terry should be removed from the heat of debate until such time as police and FA investigations have been completed.

In a sense, these would be the perfect games for Terry to miss anyway given Capello has repeatedly stressed his desire to use the opportunity to look at younger players.

Tom Cleverley's ankle injury looks certain to deprive the Manchester United midfielder of the chance to make his international debut.

However, Capello has spoken of his admiration for Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge on more than one occasion, Jack Rodwell's improved form for Everton should be rewarded, whilst Liverpool defender Martin Kelly is another who has been name-checked by the England coach recently.