Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has jumped to the defence of Wayne Rooney in the wake of criticism from his former Manchester United teammate Paul Scholes.
Scholes questioned whether Roy Hodgson had the nerve to drop Rooney if he failed to deliver at his third World Cup.
England captain Gerrard said: "Paul Scholes is wrong. He's been Manchester United's best player at home and in Europe. He's been in terrific form. What I've seen from his performances in the United team, he's been really positive.
"He's in a better frame of mind going into this tournament than he's had going into previous tournaments when he's had injuries."
Hodgson agreed: "Of course I don't think he's past his best. I've selected him in a 23-man squad that I'm very proud of. I believe in Wayne Rooney, he's still a young man."
