Rooney: England will need to be at our best to get decent result in Croatia

'Croatia are a good footballing team and we know we'll have to be at the top of our game,' Rooney said.

Wayne Rooney celebrates Joe Cole's second goal for England against Andorra

'We'll have to defend well, first of all, and create opportunities going forward. Hopefully we can do that.'

Since scoring twice in Euro 2004 against Croatia, Rooney has added only five goals in an England shirt to take his overall tally to 14, but he insists a lack of international goals is not weighing on his mind.

Observers have noted Rooney's other contributions aside from goalscoring, and that there is more to the 22-year-old's game than finding the back of the net.

Midfielder Frank Lampard said: 'The thing with Wayne is that he is not just a goalscorer, he's a creator and works hard for the team, creating angles, not just an out-and-out striker.'

Meanwhile, Theo Walcott got his first start when he was selected to face Andorra and he feels he is ready to help England qualify for South Africa 2010.

Wayne Rooney receives instruction from Fabio Capello in Barcelona

Sven-Goran Eriksson famously took a gamble on Walcott for the 2006 tournament but did not use the Arsenal winger.

Walcott said: 'The confidence is there now. I've started every game this season for Arsenal bar one and I feel I've got so much confidence.

'I'm training well and when you are training well your confidence flows and it's just instinct really.

'I feel great. I'm buzzing at the moment. I'm flying. I'm looking forward to it. I just can't wait for Wednesday.'