Fabio Capello was delighted to have Wayne Rooney back at the top of his game after the Manchester United forward broke his 15-game international goal drought with a brace in England's 3-0 win over Bulgaria in Sofia.
It took the 25-year-old into joint-eighth position on the all-time England standings, two adrift of Alan Shearer, Nat Lofthouse and Tom Finney. And, judging by the form he is in at present, it will not be long before Rooney is overhauling that illustrious trio.
"I am really happy because he scored," said Capello.
"Rooney is really important because he is a player with movement. He creates a lot of space for the other players and doesn't only stay upfield. He comes back and his movement creates difficulties for opponents. And afterwards, he always arrives in front of goal where you need him. This is important."
Rooney nodded home Stewart Downing's corner before finishing off a flowing move involving Theo Walcott and Manchester United team-mate Ashley Young.
Having excelled together at Old Trafford already this season, the duo are also hitting it off with England, where Young was deployed in a different role, behind the main forward.
"Ashley played this position with Aston Villa for all of last season," noted Capello. "I only took him off because I wanted another player in that position to press more, run more, win back the ball and help the midfielders."
That man was James Milner, who helped secure a victory that puts England into a commanding position in Group G, with Capello making light of an injury scare around his star man.
"Rooney has a problem with his foot but I think he should be okay for Tuesday," he said. "It's a different part of his foot. His big toe. It's nothing, I think but we will have to wait for a minimum of 24 hours.
"I saw him on the bed in the dressing room with the physio speaking with him, but I'm not sure what's really happened."
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