Fit Rooney urges England fans to stand by Terry

Wayne Rooney has urged fans to give John Terry “a good reception” during the international friendly against Egypt and lay-off booing the defender.

Wednesday’s match at Wembley will be the national side’s first since Chelsea skipper Terry was stripped of the England captaincy by manager Fabio Capello following the fall-out from revelations of an alleged affair with the ex-girlfriend of former team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Now with Manchester City, Bridge recently ruled himself out of international duty ahead of this year’s World Cup in South Africa even though, with Chelsea’s Ashley Cole injured, he would be England’s first-choice left back if available.

Meanwhile Chelsea skipper Terry has endured taunts from opposition fans, notably during last weekend’s 4-2 loss to Manchester City where Bridge refused to shake the central defender’s hand before kick-off.

“John is a leader for our team,” England striker Rooney told a news conference here Monday.

“He hasn’t got the armband but he’s still a great player and a great leader. The squad has been no different since we’ve met up.

“He (Terry) is a great player – I think he’s been named in the world XI for the last three years. There are no worries about his form, that’s for sure.

“Wayne Bridge is a fantastic player and especially now with Ashley Cole being injured I’m sure he’d have been the one to take his place.

“It’s unfortunate but it’s his decision and you have to respect it.”

Rooney, asked how the Wembley crowd might react to Terry, said: “The same as normal I’d hope.

“I’ve been in the team when a few players have been booed at Wembley and it’s not nice, it doesn’t send the right message.

“I hope he gets a good reception.”

Rooney, who suffered a knee injury in Manchester United’s League Cup final triumph against Aston Villa on Sunday, a game where he came off the bench to head in the winner in a 2-1 victory, said he was fit to face Egypt.

“Yes it’s okay, I went for a scan today (Monday) and it’s just a bit of bruising. I should train tomorrow (Tuesday) and should play on Wednesday.”

Rooney also offered his support to Ryan Shawcross, a former Old Trafford colleague.

The Stoke defender received his first call-up to the England squad just hours after being red-carded for a tackle which left Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey with a broken leg on Saturday.

“I was with him at United for a couple of years and he’s not that type of player,” Rooney said.

“I’m sure he’ll be okay, he’ll be welcomed into the squad. It’s unfortunate but he’s got to move on now. It’s important for him to get a game and if he does I’m sure he’ll do well.”

Turning to the threat posed by Egypt, Rooney said: “They are a good side. They’ve won the last three African Nations Cups.

“It will be a tough game. We want to try to prepare well for the World Cup and this is the first step for us.”