Dwight Yorke is confident Wayne Rooney can win the World Cup for England.

Yorke's memories of his own appearance on football's greatest stage in 2006 are still strong.

But he accepts there was never any chance of Trinidad and Tobago winning the competition.

For England it is different. Since Bobby Moore wiped his grubby hands before accepting the Jules Rimet Trophy from the Queen at Wembley in 1966, the Three Lions have craved a repeat.

Sometimes, as in 1990, they have got agonisingly close. On other occasions - 1970 and 2002 - bad decisions spring to mind. In 1986 it was sheer bad luck.

Yet, for a number of reasons, next summer in South Africa offers the best opportunity of a repeat. And in Rooney, Yorke feels England have a man capable of destroying the world's finest.

"Wayne Rooney is crucial," said Yorke.

"He is a massive player and is absolutely vital if England are going to succeed.

"He has had his few years learning the trade and is going from strength to strength.

"At 23, he is at is the age when you start to blossom as a footballer.

"You cannot underestimate his importance. If Rooney is firing on all cylinders, England have a player who can win them the World Cup."

Although he is not English, as almost Yorke's entire 20-year career was spent in the Premier League, he feels a particular affinity with the country.

And nothing would give him greater pleasure that to see Capello steer his team to victory in Johannesburg next July.

"England have certainly given themselves a much better chance of winning the World Cup," he said.

"During the years I have been here it has been hard work qualifying, let alone winning it.

"If people are honest, they have not really come close at any point since, so I can understand the sheer desperation to win it again.

"I am sure Capello has instilled a great deal of belief. The team has integrated and both performance and results have been very encouraging."

However, Yorke is wary of an arduous domestic campaign, which will have most of Capello's squad battling on four fronts.

He is also wary of the opposition. Brazil and Spain are obvious threats. But in the chill of a South African winter, Germany and Italy should excel as usual, while Argentina have the players to beat anyone should they ever get themselves organised under Diego Maradona's haphazard coaching.

"The World Cup is different," observed Yorke.

"Teams will have prepared properly for five weeks after the season has finished, while so many English players will be tired.

"It would be great for England and football in this country if they could do it.

"Without a doubt, the Premier League is the best in the world and to have the trophy here would be sensational.

"But it is not going to be far harder than some pundits are making out."

The sentiments are honestly spoken from a player now reflecting on an entire career that seems to have passed by so quickly.

There have been plenty of trophies and momentous occasions to look back on.

But on June 11, when the first ball is kicked, there will be a pang of jealousy. For all he achieved, appearing at the World Cup was the highlight of Yorke's time in the game.

"I feel so blessed," he said.

"Being at the World Cup was historic for our country.

"We are tiny. Manchester alone is bigger.

"To be the captain of our team and hear the national anthem being played before that first match against Sweden was exceptionally special.

"We weren't just representing Trinidad. It was the entire Caribbean. Nobody will ever be able to take that accolade away from me."