Terry backing Rooney to come good

England captain John Terry has urged for calm over striker Wayne Rooney's loss of form.

Rooney, 20, has failed to score in a competitive international since June 2004 but should still start in the Euro 2008 qualifier in Croatia on Wednesday.

"Wayne is still such a young lad and there is so much pressure and hype surrounding him," said Terry. "Perhaps we expect too much.

"But I don't sense there is any frustration building up within Wayne."

Centre-back Terry echoed midfielder Steven Gerrard's sentiments that Rooney has been in excellent form during training. But the Manchester United forward has failed to transfer that practice ground form to games for both club and country so far this season.

He has not scored for United since August and was taken off after 74 minutes of England's goalless Group E tie against Macedonia on Saturday after rarely threatening to add to his tally of 11 goals in 33 for his country.

Ironically, his last goal in a competitive game for his country came against Croatia in the group stages of Euro 2004, although he has scored twice in friendlies against Denmark and Argentina.

"Wayne sets such high standards and his goals-per-game ratio for England is still very good," said Terry.

"When he sets such standards and it doesn't come together for a few games, everyone starts questioning him.

"I am sure if he gets one goal, the rest will follow. We are talking about him as a world class player and he certainly is that.

"Once that first goal comes, there certainly won't be a problem for him banging more in. They will start flowing."

Terry also believes a player like Rooney should not be judged solely on how many goals he scores as he also brings more to England's attack than just goals.

"Sometimes everyone looks at the strikers for goals but a player like Wayne can create as well as score his own goals, especially with him coming off the other striker which has worked so well for us," said Terry.

"You have Peter Crouch up front and the other striker pulling off and creating space for the midfielders in Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard who get forward very well.

"It's wrong for people to just look at his goals. Look at his play and team-work, the way he brings other players into play as well."

He added: "He is a grown man but if he needs me, he knows I am here to help as much as possible."

From : BBC Sports