Wayne Rooney is certain Fabio Capello is the perfect man to guide England towards World Cup glory in South Africa next summer.

It is no surprise that a pivotal player should offer his boss high praise. After all, he is hardly likely to criticise a man who holds the key to his selection for the biggest prize the game has to offer.

Yet, in a funny way, one of the reasons Rooney is so enthused by the Italian is the fact his position is not secure.

Sure, it would be a brave move to leave Rooney out of the biggest games. But talk to the Italian and there is no JT or Stevie G, no sentimental picks or indulgence. Just a clear focus on that little gold trophy that will be held aloft at Kings Park, Johannesburg on July 11 next year.

"He is probably the first England manager I have played under where you know if you don't play," admitted Rooney.

"There is always a chance you are not going to be in the starting XI the next game.

"He keeps all the players on their toes. We know we have to play well every game. He is definitely the best man for England."

That Capello is the right man for the job comes partly out of lessons being reinforced at Manchester United.

You would have to be pretty brave to challenge Sir Alex Ferguson and pretty stupid to claim someone who had won 11 Premier League titles did not know what he was talking about.

So, while some might criticise Ferguson for using Rooney in a role where his many attributes are not utilised to their maximum, it is quite gratifying for the 23-year-old to hear the same words on club and international duty as a method of improvement.

"Sir Alex and Fabio have both tried to get me to play further up the pitch and get in better positions to score more goals," he said.

"I agree that I needed to be more clinical. There was a stage when I was playing too deep."

The problem, if that is what it was, stems from an in-built desire to play. Like the kid in the playground who wants to do everything, Rooney finds it hard to loiter in a manner those such as Michael Owen and Ruud van Nistelrooy find so easy.

It seems the joint promptings of Ferguson and Capello are working. And when they do not, they just revert to a tried and trusted managerial technique.

"I have been shouted at a few times for defending too much," smiled Rooney.

"I have tried to cut that out a bit.

"Sometimes when you are not involved in the game, it gets a bit frustrating.

"I know it's the way some players play. They just want to stay up and score goals.

"But I love getting on the ball. I want to score goals and be involved in the game as well."

There has been some positive news from the England camp, with all players doing some kind of training in the countdown to Saturday's friendly with Slovenia, including skipper John Terry and Wes Brown, who had sufficient question marks over them yesterday to warrant the call-up of Bolton's Gary Cahill.

Nevertheless, no risks will be taken with Terry in particular given the importance of Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier with Croatia, when victory will confirm England's place in South Africa next summer.

England certainly do not lack incentive given Slaven Bilic's men dumped them out of Euro 2008 before they could get anywhere near Switzerland or Austria.

Since then though, a new sense of drive has swept through the Three Lions camp, created almost exclusively by Capello since the players are virtually identical to the ones who failed last time around.

Subtle changes have made all the difference. Seven wins out of seven in qualifying has brought a confidence that will survive no matter what the outcome this weekend.

And if anyone constitutes a "main man" under the Italian, Rooney is it. Ten goals during last year's international calendar suggests so anyway. The responsibility is something he thrives on.

"I started playing when I was 16 and there has been an expectation and pressure ever since. I have no problem with that. I see it as a challenge," he said.

"I hope I can be the main man.

"I am probably playing the best football I have played for England over the last year and I am really enjoying myself with United.

"Hopefully that will continue and both will benefit."