Rooney and Owen earn Venables backing

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Former national-team boss Venables insists hand-wringing over England's lack of attacking options is misguided given the presence of "two of the greatest strikers in the world".

Venables wrote in his column in The Sun: "If Capello is going to let Owen and Rooney grow into the partnership I believe they can become, then areas of the pitch have to become no-go areas for Rooney."

He added: "The biggest accusation being thrown at Rooney at the moment is that he is constantly playing out of position.

"One minute he's haring up and down the wings, next he's in midfield, then he's at right-back, left-back.

"That's just about everything you can be on a football pitch except being the one thing we all want him to be an out-and-out striker."

Venables added: "Okay, I agree, they haven't exactly set the world alight yet.

"But when two players are so gifted and so rich in natural talent, then it only takes a few minor adjustments for the fireworks to start."