Former England striker Michael Owen believes that Wayne Rooney will thrive on the pressure of being the Three Lions' leading man at the World Cup.
In past major tournaments for England, the 28-year-old has struggled with disciplinary issues and has failed to find his best form.
Owen told reporters: "If you're starting for England and you are the centre-forward you don't take any pressure off. We all see it as pressure from the outside but Wayne Rooney won't see it that way.
"He lives with it, he breathes it every day as the Manchester United and England centre-forward, that's his way of life.
"Pressure doesn't come into it, just a firm belief he is going to do well. That's what he will be thinking at the moment, getting there in one piece, fit and healthy, and then he will believe the rest will do the talking like he has done so many times."
Rooney scored 17 goals in the Premier League for Manchester United last season.
Simon Sinclair
