Colin Montgomerie has warned Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal not to pit Rory McIlroy against Tiger Woods in the Ryder Cup singles.

The pair currently sit first and second in the world rankings and many neutrals are eagerly anticipating a potential face-off between the two at Medinah this weekend.

However, Montgomerie, who captained Europe to victory at Celtic Manor in 2010, has admitted that he would not back McIlroy in a singles showdown against the American.

Olazabal is reportedly considering sending the USPGA Champion out first on Sunday, but Montgomerie has urged him not to, just in case US captain Davis Love III opts to do the same with Woods.

"Yes, everybody wants this to happen, but I would want Rory to be playing someone else in the singles if you don't mind," he said.

"I would leave Woods well alone. Don't go anywhere near him, especially in America and playing now to a certain degree an awful lot better than he has been."

The Ryder Cup begins on September 28, and you can follow live commentary of the action on Sports Mole from 12.30pm this Friday.