WE asked The Legends, how big a blow would it be to England’s World Cup hopes if Wayne Rooney fails to recover from his ankle ligament injury?

MALCOLM MACDONALD

THE term ‘world class’ is bandied about far too much but Wayne Rooney deserves that title.

He is the one player in Fabio Capello’s squad who would get into any international side in the world. I don’t care who it is, the Brazil, Germany, Argentina managers would all include Rooney in their starting XIs, he really is that good.

Without his services England can kiss goodbye to any chance of winning the competition in South Africa. It will be tough enough with him in the side but without Rooney we look like a very ordinary side.

Thankfully the news is that his ankle injury isn’t too bad.

But let me tell you, it would take a hell of a lot to stop him going anyway. His leg would have to be in plaster to prevent that lad from playing in a tournament where he could be one of the big stars. I expect he’ll recover from this problem and can look forward to having a great World Cup.

BERNIE SLAVEN

LET me make an admission – after living in England for goodness knows how long both of my kids are England fans.

They would be devastated if Wayne Rooney wasn’t fit to play in the World Cup.

And any true football fan would say the same.

I make no secret of the fact that I support the country that I played for – the Republic of Ireland. But Rooney is one of those players who can light up a tournament, just like the boy Messi for Argentina.

You may not support their international team but you want the best players to play at the biggest tournament in the game.

If Rooney fails to get his full fitness back then England have no chance of progressing to the final, even the semi-final for that matter. He is the main man and Mr Capello will have a few sleepless nights between now and June until he sees Rooney leading the line in England’s first game against the USA.

MICKY HORSWILL

IT’S dangerous in any team to regard one player as being irreplaceable but Wayne Rooney is absolutely vital to England, without him we have no chance.

I know that Sunderland fans may look at the possibility of Rooney missing the tournament as boosting Darren Bent’s chance of being selected but as an Englishman you’d want your best players there. Rooney is England’s best player – no argument.

If Bent was to be selected I am sure he would want it to happen for all of the right reasons and not because someone had picked up a bad injury.

I really think we have a great chance of doing something with Rooney in the side. Maybe the semifinals, maybe even better.

England are a different team without him and no offence to the likes of Bent, Defoe or Peter Crouch but we don’t have the strength in depth to be able to manage without Wayne.

Fingers crossed he gets back in two-three weeks as we are being told he will and he is in tip top condition in time for the big kick off.

Listen to The Legends weekdays 6-8pm and Saturdays from 1pm on 100-102FM Real Radio

Read their views every Saturday in Northern Echo Sport