Former England coach Glenn Hoddle can't believe there's calls for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney to be benched for the World Cup.
Hoddle wrote in the London Evening Standard: "Critics have been knocking him non-stop in the build-up to Brazil - leave him out, he's no longer at his best, he doesn't fit into the system, he doesn't blend with Daniel Sturridge - but Roy Hodgson won't fall for any of that.
"Let me make it clear - England do not have anyone else with the quality of Rooney to replace him for their World Cup opener against Italy.
"When Rooney is at his best, he is sheer class and I am convinced he can make the difference to this England team. When Rooney hits top form he is some handful but even if he is near top form he's a handful.
"If he were benched for the game in Manaus a week on Saturday, the Italians would be the only ones relishing his demise. They would be overjoyed."
