Italy coach Marcello Lippi has hailed Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney as world class.

Lippi is keen to face Rooney and England coach Fabio Capello at the World Cup.

He said: "Wayne Rooney is a major player for England. He is one of the best players in the world.

"His technical and mental skills have a major effect on his team, he is simply extraordinary.

"It would be great to come up against Fabio Capello's England side at some stage of the tournament, I would absolutely love that."