Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer says England can only win the World Cup with Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney bang in form.

Rooney was sent off for a retaliatory kick on Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho in the quarter-final four years ago, a dismissal which arguably cost England the game.

But Shearer is convinced he has learnt from past mistakes, and urged the Manchester United star to take the physical abuse he receives as a compliment and make this year's tournament his own.

He said: "Wayne Rooney is the key man, he's the star of the England show and if he can stay fit and find his best form, England have definitely got a chance of winning the World Cup. He is one of the best players in the world and he is still only 24. He's the one who makes England tick and he's the player who makes things happen. This could be his tournament.

"He's been around for a while now and every opposition player knows what he can do. At 24, though, I think he has the maturity and experience to make a real impact in South Africa. I hope he does.

"People have started to question his temperament again, but I don't have any concerns about him. He needs that fire in his belly and if you take that away from him he won't be the same player."