Bruce backing Welbeck to star on Euro stage

THE manager who helped Danny Welbeck blossom on the Premier League stage has tipped the England striker to star at Euro 2012.

Roy Hodgson’s side get their Group D campaign under way later today against France in Donetsk.

Wayne Rooney’s two-game ban means places up front are up for grabs with Welbeck expected to claim one of them this evening as he vies with Andy Carroll and Ashley Young to be involved as the Three Lions look to end France’s 21-game unbeaten run.

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Hodgson has not give much away with regards who will start but Welbeck’s cool finish in the final warm-up friendly against Belgium nine days ago has undoubtedly boosted the Manchester United striker’s hopes of claiming a place.

Steve Bruce, who had Welbeck on loan at Sunderland in the 2010-11 season, believes leading the attack in Rooney’s absence would not faze the 21-year-old.

The new Hull City manager said: “Danny is an exceptionally gifted player so I hope it is a big tournament for him. He hasn’t had it easy but I think he has a big part to play, as we saw with his goal last week (against Belgium).

“His character is great as nothing fazes him. I remember Sunderland playing down at Chelsea when he was 20 or 21. We beat them 3-0 and he was absolutely fantastic on the day.

“He will relish the challenge.”

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Welbeck’s year in the North East resulted in him scoring six goals in 26 Premier League appearances and develop into the type of player Sir Alex Ferguson felt deserved a chance in the United first team.

He repaid that faith during last season with 13 goals as the Old Trafford club came within goal difference of retaining the title.

A first international goal followed against the Belgians to leave Welbeck as one of the brightest hopes in English football, quite a contrast to the player Bruce took on loan in the summer of 2010.

In the preceding few months, the striker had spent an unhappy time at Preston in the Championship to leave some at Old Trafford wondering if he would be able to fulfil the potential that had set him apart as a youngster.

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Bruce said: “It just shows you what football is like. Danny came to Sunderland after a spell at Preston, where he’d had a miserable, miserable time.

“I took him to Sunderland and, for whatever reason, over the past 18 months to two years he has shot to prominence. Maybe he got a bit more mature and grew up as a man.”

Hull’s new manager never made it to the full England side despite being one of the best defenders that the game in this country has seen over the past 30 years.

On the Three Lions’ chances in Euro 2012, he added: “We are English and we all hope it might be our year. It doesn’t seem we have had the same hype as previous years and we also have had problem after problem, but maybe it can be our year.

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“Denmark and Greece have both won it in recent years when unfancied. And this is the first tournament I can remember when England aren’t that fancied.

“Let’s hope it is our turn. We will have to be at our best to win it but we are all English so let’s get behind the team.”

Welbeck’s Manchester United team-mate Young, meanwhile, has insisted he is not a cheat.

England star Young found himself branded a “diver” on more than one occasion last season for the way he won penalties and free-kicks for his club.

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The backlash against the 26-year-old was so strong, United chief Ferguson “had a word” with him about the matter towards the end of the campaign.

Young confirmed he had spoken to Ferguson but refused to reveal whether he had been chastised by his club manager.

He added: “At the end of the day, the referees came to the decisions they did.

“I’m not a cheat. I’m not a diver. I won the penalties. The matter’s been left now.”

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Young insisted the abuse he received had not affected him “one bit” as he continued his preparations with England.

The former Aston Villa winger is fast assuming a similar talisman mantle to that of the banned Rooney, having scored five goals in his last seven internationals and having had a hand in more than half of England’s last 20 goals.

“I am feeling confident on the back of a few goals and assists,” said Young.

“There has been a lot talked about what I have to do in that role just off the striker.

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“A lot of emphasis has been put on me. I thrive on the pressure. I enjoy it.

“It is an opportunity to run at defenders. That is what I am there to do. There is no better feeling (than) when I do that.”

That is exactly what Rooney did at Euro 2004 eight years ago, with Young hoping to do the same at what is also his first major tournament.

Asked if his suspended team-mate had given him any advice, he added: “We all talk to each other. If you have something to say, whether you are a youngster or a senior, you say it.”

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Young has started both new manager Hodgson’s two games in charge, back-to-back 1-0 warm-up wins over Norway and Belgium.

He said: “I scored against Norway and set-up one against Belgium.

“Fingers crossed, if I am selected on Monday I will do that again.”