Gerrard backs Rooney to deliver the goods in Basle

Rooney will be back in action in Basle for the first time since allegations concerning his private life appeared in a Sunday newspaper.

The Manchester United star has been in the spotlight for the past 48 hours and the behaviour expected of top players has been a constant source of debate.

But Fabio Capello confirmed Rooney will start against the Swiss and Gerrard believes returning to play football can be a "release" for a player if he is encountering off-the-pitch problems.

Rooney looked back to his best before attracting the front-page headlines in setting up all four goals during Friday's 4-0 success over Bulgaria at Wembley.

Gerrard said: "I haven't spoken to Wayne about his issues off the field because, to be blunt, they are nothing to do with me.

"Wayne knows I'm here for him as a friend and also as a team-mate but he seems fine to me.

"He trained well yesterday and wants to play. I just hope he performs to the level that he did on Friday when he was superb.

"The team certainly need him to play at that sort of level if we are to get the three points we are after.

"When he is on top form, he can score and create goals and win matches on his own."

Gerrard admitted: "If you have got issues off the pitch, football can be a release and when the game kicks off you are totally focused on it.

"You have to push off-the-park matters to one side and only come back to them when a game is over but that's the same for most footballers."

Rooney looked at ease when operating in a deeper role against Bulgaria who found it hard to contain the former Everton player.

Gerrard said: "Wayne showed why he is one of the best players in the world because he can drop deep, link the midfield to the attack, set goals up and get into dangerous positions himself.

"Certainly, I wouldn't want to be facing him in the kind of form he was in the other evening. But it is important we are not distracted by anything, not just the issue with Wayne Rooney.

"I am expecting another big performance from him."

Two years ago England set the benchmark for their World Cup

qualification campaign with a 4-1 victory over Croatia in Zagreb.

In the same way, Switzerland represent England's biggest threat to qualifying automatically for the 2012 finals and they showed their pedigree with victory over eventual World Cup winners Spain in South Africa.

Gerrard said: "I think it will be difficult to get a 4-1 scoreline this time. Switzerland are a very good team, very organised defensively and difficult to score against.

"But we want to build on Friday's performance and we will go into the game full of confidence. Our target when we came together last week was six points. A draw against the Swiss would be a decent result but we want the three points."

The only selection issue for Capello appears to be whether to persevere with Gary Cahill in place of the injured Michael Dawson in defence or recall Matthew Upson.

But Gerrard has faith in whoever Capello decides to put into place alongside Phil Jagielka.

He said: "You don't have to change much after winning 4-0 but I am sure whoever plays at centre-half will do a good job.

"Gary Cahill did well when he came on the other night and Matthew Upson did a superb job in the qualifiers for us and also played in the World Cup.

"We are aware it is our first away game since the World Cup and will be a big test but we are up for the challenge."

Capello v Hitzveld – head to head

Two of the most highly decorated and experienced coaches around go head to head when Fabio Capello pits his wits against Ottmar Hitzfeld tonight.

Previous meetings

Tonight's meeting will be only the third between the two men, with their first two coming just over three years ago. Those games saw Hitzfeld's Bayern Munich come out on top in a classic Champions League last-16 clash with Capello's Real Madrid, the Germans winning on away goals after turning around a 3-2 defeat at the Bernabeu with a 2-1 victory in Munich.

Trophies

Hitzfeld comes out on top with 17 major trophies to Capello's nine – which would have been 11 were Juventus not stripped of their 2005 and 2006 Serie A successes. However, five of Hitzfeld's trophies were won in Switzerland, while Capello has only ever managed in the big leagues of Italy and Spain, winning multiple titles in both countries. Both men have tasted Champions League glory, Capello with AC Milan in 1994 and Hitzfeld with Borussia Dortmund three years later and Bayern Munich in 2001.

Failures

Capello's first real failure came at this summer's World Cup, with his reputation virtually unblemished before. His CV does include two one-year stints at Real Madrid but his departure on both occasions followed title successes in the Primera Liga. Capello's Champions League record since his 1994 win could be one question mark. Hitzfeld enjoyed an almost unbroken run of success until his failure to win the 2004 Bundesliga saw him leave Bayern. Not getting Switzerland out of their World Cup group after they beat Spain in their opening match is another failure.

Tactics

Both men are renowned for a pragmatic approach. Capello found it more difficult to win round the Spanish public while at Real, and questions have been asked about his flexibility since the World Cup. Hitzfeld produced a tactical masterplan to beat Spain in South Africa and has history of upsetting teams that appear better on paper.