Gerrard: Rooney is raring to go and we need him

Rooney was ruled out of the opening two games against France and Sweden after his sending-off in the qualifier against Montenegro in Podgorica eight months ago.

Head coach Roy Hodgson has confirmed Rooney will start tonight’s meeting with co-hosts Ukraine and Gerrard believes he will behave and help England’s attempt to reach the quarter-finals.

Gerrard said: “Everyone knows what Wayne Rooney is all about. He certainly makes us a lot more threatening going forward and he is a world-class player.

“I know Wayne quite well, I am very close to him and I can see in his eyes that he is itching to get out there and perform.

“Hopefully he can play very well (tonight) and be the difference.

“I’m not going to tell Wayne not to be fired up for this game. That is what Wayne is all about – pressing, being aggressive in the right way.

“The reason he is world class is because of what he has shown up to today.

“Obviously we need him on the pitch. He is aware of that and he regrets the reaction when he got the suspension. I am sure he will behave himself well.”

Hodgson echoed Gerrard’s sentiments and said: “I’m sure Steve and the other players will be keen to remind him of what we require from him is a good team performance.

“We want him to help us and make us a better team, to help us win the game of football.

“I’ve been very impressed with the way he has gone about his work in training, talking to some of the younger players, and playing a major part as one of the senior players in the group.

“He knows how important the occasion is, not just for himself but more importantly he knows how important it is for his team-mates.”

Hodgson added: “I am not concerned about Wayne going over the top.

“It is a good point to make but I am sure other people apart from myself will be keen to remind him what we want is a good team performance.

“I have no fears about him.

“People say he may be ring rusty but from what I have seen he is every bit as sharp as when he played his last game for Manchester United.”

Hodgson admits he faces a difficult decision in deciding whether to axe Andy Carroll or Danny Welbeck to make way for Rooney.

He said: “It has become a very difficult choice because both have done so well, in friendly matches before we came to the tournament, and in the tournament itself.

“They have given me the classic manager’s headache but it is the headache we all want really, players in form, playing well and competing for a place.

“I have made it clear that Wayne will start the game so that decision has to be made and I shall make it.”

Hodgson is content that expectation levels are rising in England after the opening two games but he can give no guarantee of success even though a point will ensure a last-eight spot.

He said: “You try and play football, and international football, to try and get carried away. Dreaming is what football is about.

“I think we’ve got to be happy that expectations have risen and people are maybe thinking we can go a bit further than when we started the competition.

“That doesn’t mean to say we can guarantee success or fulfil those expectations.

“It is nice to know after the first couple of games there is a bit more belief in the team and the team has belief in itself.

“But we are talking about individual matches and cup finals. A lot of things can happen in 90 minutes that you as a football team cannot control.

“We’ve already seen some very good teams go out of this competition but at least we feel now we’ve given ourselves a chance.”

Hodgson also expects England’s players to cope with the atmosphere in the Donbass Stadium.

He said: “I don’t need to tell the players too much in that respect because I’m dealing with players who play for the top teams in England and play regular Champions League football. They are playing every week in these type of stadia and regular away matches in such atmospheres.

“I don’t need to remind them the fans will be supporting Ukraine rather than England.”

Hodgson has a clean bill of health in his squad with Theo Walcott available after a hamstring niggle.

Late arrival at the party can be guest of honour: Page 21.