Premier League managers believe Wayne Rooney is the key to England's success at the World Cup this summer, reports Sky Sports. And in a survey conducted by Barclays, title sponsor of the League Managers Association (LMA), the bosses hailed Rooney as England's most important player for South Africa.

The striker was also voted to be a top three stand-out player in the tournament behind Spain star Lionel Messi and ahead of Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo.

Liverpool's Spain ace Fernando Torres was seen as the Premier League player most likely to land the Golden Boot in South Africa with 47 per cent of the vote, while Rooney came in second and Argentine Carlos Tevez of Manchester City was third.

The bosses voted for Brazil to win the World Cup ahead of European Champions Spain, while Diego Maradona's Argentina side were rated third most likely to raise the trophy.

When questioned on who might prove the 'surprise package' of the tournament, the managers plumped for 1998 winners France, while Ivory Coast and Serbia were also voted as likely dark horses.

According to the survey, South America still produces the world's best footballers, but 29 per cent of managers believe Africa will be the continent to produce the stars of the future over the next decade.