England need Rooney of 2004

PICTURE: AFP

It was no return of the king.

Wayne Rooney’s re-appearance in the England fold failed to inject the attacking zest that it promised, but produced the desired result all right.

In truth, he looked a little short of match fitness, and if that’s the case, then the 87-minute work-out will come in handy for tomorrow morning’s (Singapore time) last-eight clash with Italy in Kiev.

It is interesting to note that, for all his purported importance to England, that goal against Ukraine was his first in tournament play since 2004.

That was the year a fresh-faced Rooney stormed onto the big stage with four goals at Euro 2004, but was subsequently injured during the quarter-final game with Portugal. England eventually lost to the hosts on a penalty shoot-out.

Troubled by injury at the 2006 World Cup and then personal problems four years later, you would imagine that he is desperate to grab this chance to prove himself in a major tournament.

The Rooney of 2004 is who England need for the intriguing Italian assignment.