PRAISE FROM THE TOP

"Without him England will suffer. If he makes it he could inspire them to victory," he claimed.

Maradona likened Rooney to himself, insisting that it was his upbringing that had shaped him into such a quality player.

"Rooney is the same as me - both as a player and a person," he told The Sun.

"He comes from a rough area but I like that. It can only help because he's seen how tough life can be.

"His temperament is a bonus. It will make him conquer adversity."