England aim to prove Croatia thrashing was no fluke

Wayne Rooney underlined the confidence surging through England ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan as the striker claimed Fabio Capello's side can hit even greater heights than they reached in the demolition of Croatia.

England return to Wembley hoping to extend their 100 percent start to the Group Six campaign and maintain the feelgood factor engendered by last month's 4-1 win in Zagreb.

Rooney produced what he believes was his best international performance to help end Croatia's long unbeaten home record, but the Manchester United star is convinced Capello's team still have room for improvement.

“I have not played better for England than the Croatia game but I still think we could have played better in the first-half,” he said. “I thought we defended well but could have offered more going forward.

“The players had been disappointed with the way we played in the Euro 2008 qualifiers and previous games because we know the quality we have.

“To put it into a game situation was more pleasing than anything. As a team it was a good performance, don't get me wrong. The second half was the best 45 minutes England have played since I have been involved.

“I just feel we can do even better than that. Hopefully we can do that in the next few games.

“We can improve. When you see the players we have there is no reason why we shouldn't, especially now we are all confident.”

Rooney has often cut a despondent figure in an England shirt since Euro 2004 as he struggled to recapture the form that made him a star at Old Trafford.

He finally looked a force again in Croatia and the forward believes Capello's decision to use him as a second striker behind the powerful Emile Heskey was key to his revival.

“I played with Emile a few years ago and I really enjoyed it,” he said. I really enjoyed the last game and the second-half against Andorra. I am looking forward to doing it again.

“I like to play just off a front man. That is what I enjoy doing most. It is probably because I get on the ball more. I don't like to be out of the game too long.

“Some centre-forwards can stay up front, not touch the ball and just look to score goals. I don't really enjoy doing that. I like to get on the ball and be involved in the game.”

While Rooney was back to his best in Croatia, it was Theo Walcott's hat-trick that stole the headlines and the United man reckons it could prove a coming of age moment for the young Arsenal winger.

“Theo coming into the team has made a big difference for us,” he said. “He is probably the quickest player I have ever seen. He has brought us something different.

“He has been a great addition to the team. I wouldn't say I am a father figure though. He is only two years younger than me!”

Victory this weekend is essential ahead of Wednesday's more testing trip to Belarus, but England are likely to be without captain John Terry for both matches as the Chelsea defender struggles with a back injury.

Wes Brown or Matthew Upson will replace Terry, while Rio Ferdinand will deputise as captain.

Heskey is also a doubt with a back problem and Jermain Defoe or Peter Crouch would replace the Wigan striker if he doesn't recover in time.

The England coach's other major conundrum is whether to pair Steven Gerrard with Frank Lampard in central midfield. The pair have often failed to reproduce their club form together, but Capello is loath to leave either out when they are playing so well in the Premier League.

Capello won't be able to tell his players much about Kazakhstan, ranked 131st in the world, because coach Bernd Storck is taking charge of his first match after Arno Pijpers's dismissal.

Storck has retained only four players from Kazakhstan's defeat against Ukraine in their last match. He has promoted most of the under-21 squad and could send out as many 10 uncapped players at Wembley.