Former Manchester United striker David Sadler has backed Wayne Rooney to make a major impact for England during the upcoming World Cup.

Certain reports over the last week had suggested that Rooney's place in Roy Hodgson's starting lineup had come under threat, with youngsters Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling pinpointed as potential replacements.

However, despite the fact that Rooney has not scored in his two previous World Cup campaigns, Sadler has insisted that the United frontman should still be regarded as one of his country's key players.

"It's been a little bit off-putting with the press in recent days, but the journalists have got to do something to justify why they are out there following England around," the 68-year-old told United's official website.

"Wayne knew he needed a couple of matches, at least, to get fit. You can see it here at United every season - when he starts off, it invariably takes him three or four matches to start getting his touch and hitting top form. He'll be fine.

"I know he's not had the best of World Cups before but there have been some mitigating circumstances for that. I think he'll do very well in Brazil."

Rooney is expected to feature at some point this evening in England's final warm-up encounter against Honduras in Miami.