"If he (Fabio Capello) is going to play with one and wants someone to hold the ball up, bring others into the game and then take a chance when it is presented, then I do think if a ball drops to Deano in the penalty box, then something is going to happen," said Curbishley.

"If he is going to play with a lone striker and Rooney coming from deep, flooding the midfield, then perhaps he will take a look at Dean.

"Whether that is in the qualifiers, we will have to wait and see."

Curbishley added: "Deano started off really well against Wigan and now has another game to impress, like so many players - (goalkeeper) Rob Green is another one here who must come into Capello's thinking.

"All they can do is to keep plugging away."