MX23RW : Tuesday, March 18 00:30:29| >> :60:359:359:

Roy Keane: Roy Hodgson must manage Wayne Rooney's boredom

Roy Keane believes that Wayne Rooney may struggle to "build up" for England's match against Ukraine due to boredom for missing out on the Three Lions' first two group games.

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes that England manager Roy Hodgson will have to take into account that Wayne Rooney may not be "sharp" enough at Euro 2012 due to his two-match suspension.

The Red Devils striker is expected to start for the Three Lions against Ukraine but will miss the national side's two group matches against France and Sweden.

While Keane appreciates that the 26-year-old has enough quality to produce at the tournament, the former Ipswich Town boss believes that boredom could play a factor in Rooney's performance.

"I think the big problem Wayne will have is the boredom, mentally trying to build up for a game," said Kean. "As you get older you might be married and have kids, and appreciate peace and quiet, but Wayne is still young, he's pretty active mentally — Roy Hodgson will have to manage that.

"Get the balance right with what he does on the training pitch, he has to keep sharp but without overdoing it or getting irritated he's not playing in the first two games.

"Sometimes players come back fresh, but it is not as if Wayne can feel his way into the tournament, he'll have to produce it straight away. As good a player as he is, that is difficult."

Meanwhile, midfielder Scott Parker is likely to be fit for the competition after coming through England's first training session yesterday.

ID:28511: cacheID:28511:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2692:
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Scott Parker
Read Next:
Parker boost for England
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal291610353242958
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest29166749351454
4Chelsea29147853371649
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Fulham2912984338545
9Aston Villa2912984145-445
10Bournemouth29128948361244
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd29107123740-337
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs291041555431234
15Everton2971393236-434
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2997133349-1634
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2975174058-1826
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2945202565-4017
20Southampton2923242170-499


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!