West Ham striker Cole: Man Utd’s Rooney England leader

West Ham United striker Carlton Cole admits Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is a huge influence inside the England squad.

Rooney made his England debut at 17 in 2003, the youngest-ever new boy until Arsenal's Theo Walcott broke his record by 36 days.

Now, at just 24, Rooney's opinions are held in high regard by England manager Capello. Whenever he calls meetings with senior players like Frank Lampard, John Terry and David James, Rooney is there too.

Cole, yet to score for his country in six appearances, revealed: "Since I've been in the national team, you can see he's one of the chief boys.

"He's always in the meetings with the seniors.

"When the gaffer calls in the seniors, he's in amongst it with the captain and all the rest of the hierarchy there. He's a big player."

Cole has scored 16 goals in 30 league games since establishing himself as a valued member of Gianfranco Zola's Hammers squad at the end of 2008.

And he will be looking to add to that tally when he lines up against Rooney at Old Trafford tonight.

He has seen a big change in Rooney's attitude and game - and knows the improving Londoners will find it tough going as they try to ease any lingering relegation fears.

Cole added: "Wayne's world-class now. Fair play to him. He has done really well. He's a very dominant forward and it's all natural. I am just happy to be in and around him and looking at what he does. It's marvellous.

"Wayne has changed his game dramatically. He's trying to get in the middle more.

"He's not just trying to make things happen for other people but is getting on the end of things. He has always known where the goal is but he has changed his game to get even more goals. I want to be the same. I want to be a team player and a goalscorer."