Sven must take a risk on raging Rooney

Two of Eriksson's predecessors were only too happy to offer advice yesterday, although what made it fascinating was the fact that they held such conflicting views.

Writing in his Sunday newspaper column, Terry Venables urged Eriksson to leave Rooney on the bench. The game against Turkey, wrote Venables, 'requires selfcontrol and discipline and a castiron determination to stay on the field no matter what the pressure and provocation. I am not convinced Rooney has that - yet.'

Sir Bobby Robson disagreed. The Newcastle manager led the calls for Rooney's inclusion against Turkey last April and the 70-year-old who guided England to the 1990 World Cup semi-finals remains confident the youngster is a player for the big occasion. 'In my judgment, he should start,' said Robson.

The argument Sir Bobby presents is the one Eriksson should note, irrespective of whether Owen recovers from his ankle injury.

Rooney's disciplinary record is something that needs addressing both by Everton manager David Moyes and Eriksson. After just 19 Premiership starts and 22 appearances as a substitute, one red card and 11 yellows is excessive, to say the least, for a forward.

But Rooney remains the secondbest striker in the country and for a contest as crucial as this weekend's Group Seven decider, Eriksson must select his most talented players. Remind him of his responsibilities before he takes to the field in the No.9 shirt, by all means, but don't leave a player whose record with England remains unblemished on the bench.

Rooney frightened the life out of the Turks in Sunderland last April and his presence will spark anxiety among their defenders when the two teams meet again in Istanbul. Alpay might have suggested otherwise when he spoke to Sportsmail on Saturday, but do not be fooled by such posturing from Aston Villa's Turkey centre half.

Robson added: 'If I were in the Turkey dressing room and the England team- sheet came through without Rooney's name, I would expect to see big smiles all around. This kid can strike fear into the opposition, believe me.'

If Rooney is left on the bench, only those sitting around him would have anything to fear, such would be his disappointment at being omitted.

Rooney turns 18 this month and there are times when youthful exuberance becomes something far more unsavoury. His behaviour smacks of someone who has spent so long listening to everyone telling him how wonderful he is that he has forgotten how useless he becomes when he has been sent off or suspended.

But name him among the substitutes against Turkey? Now that really would be foolish.