• Euro 2012

Rooney: I didn't expect to make squad

ESPN staff
June 17, 2012

Wayne Rooney has revealed that he feared missing out on a place in England's Euro 2012 squad when he was hit with a three-game ban for a sending off against Montenegro last year.

Rooney was shown a red card for kicking out at Miodrag Dzudovic during a qualification match in October, but his ban was subsequently reduced to two competitive matches.

He has now served that suspension, having sat out England's Euro 2012 fixtures with France and Sweden, and is poised to be involved from the outset against Ukraine on Tuesday.

The Manchester United striker is expected to add some much-needed invention to England's attacking thrusts, and his return to the international fold has been eagerly anticipated. However, he is just feeling lucky to have the opportunity to play at all.

Asked if he was worried about not being part of the 23-man squad, Rooney said: "Of course. Certainly, when it was a three-game ban, I thought I probably wouldn't be here."

Rooney is insisting that there is no chance he will jeopardise England's chances in Poland and Ukraine by letting the red mist descend again.

"What happened [in Montenegro] was a mistake," he said. "I understood that and apologised to the guy. I've paid the price. I've had to take it. And I have no problems with my attitude or my temperament. I'm happy and I'm ready to play."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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