Defoe: Rooney edge is key

Jermain Defoe believes Wayne Rooney would not be the same player without his fiery temperament and thinks it could be an asset as long as it is kept under control during the World Cup.

Rooney appeared wound up when he appeared as a second-half substitute during England's 3-0 win over Platinum Stars in their final warm-up game for the finals.

The Manchester United striker was guilty of a late challenge on Kagiso Senamela and was then booked for dissent.

He appeared in a similar frame of mind in the international with Japan in Graz nine days ago.

But Defoe has leapt to the defence of the 24-year-old, who was sent off in the 2006 quarter-final against Portugal.

The Tottenham striker said: "If under control, I think Wayne's temper is a good thing.

"When you've got that fire in your belly as a player (it can be good). If you take that away from Wayne, then he won't be the same player."

Defoe also feels England are ready for the World Cup to begin after having the winning mentality instilled into them by Fabio Capello.

Defoe was among the scorers, along with Joe Cole and Rooney, in the 3-0 win against the Stars, the final match before Saturday's opening group clash with the United States in Rustenburg.

But he admits England still have to fully adjust to the altitude in South Africa following two weeks in an Austrian training camp.

Defoe said: "It was a really good work out. With the conditions, the altitude and the heat, it made it difficult, but it helped with the fitness for what is ahead.

"You do notice the altitude here when you're running around. It's different, and we're a lot higher here than we were in Austria but I'm sure we'll get used to it in training.

"I don't think we could be better prepared for a World Cup. I think everything we've done - the training, the fitness work - has been spot on.

"The hotel is brilliant. We've got everything we need, so the preparation has been good and, if you prepare right, you get results.

"I think we're ready. I was speaking to Wayne Rooney this morning and we were just saying 'you just want it to start.'

"It's been a long build-up with Austria. It's always in the back of your mind.

"Everyone's hungry. We want to win it. We'll take each game as it comes, but I think we've got that winning mentality.

"We're winning games and we want to take that into a tournament now."

Defoe is refusing to speculate on whether he has forced his way into Capello's first 11.

He said: "I don't know if I've done enough. That's up to the manager.

"I've always said you've just got to go out there, work hard and do your best and then leave it down to the manager.

"But, to be honest, it's all about the squad. In a major tournament, you need a squad, not just the lads who will start the game.

"It's important that even the lads who come on make a difference. You need that in a major tournament."

The Tottenham striker was also full of praise for skipper Rio Ferdinand's decision to remain with the squad until after the opening game after his knee ligament injury.

Defoe said: "Credit to Rio, he could have gone home and gone on holiday.

"But he chose to stay here and be with the players and, even though he is on the sidelines, he is the captain and credit to him.

"When he got injured, we couldn't believe it. It was a freak accident in training.

"It happens but we are all here for him and he is a fantastic guy."

Defoe converted a cross from skipper Steven Gerrard for the third minute opener.

Rooney set up Joe Cole - the only England player to complete 90 minutes - for the second after the interval and then scored the third himself.

Rooney's contribution to England's match-sealing goals will have boosted the 24-year-old's confidence.

And while the team did not exactly look like world champions this evening, Rooney feels they will be better for the outing.

"It was a good run-out, we needed to get the game in and to play 45 minutes felt good so I was happy," Rooney said.

"I think we got out of it what we needed. I would have liked to have got a bit more of a game but I was happy with the 45 minutes.

"We are ready - these are preparation games for us for the big one now coming up on Saturday.

"I just can't wait now. The sooner it comes, the better."

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source: football365.com