• Premier League

Gerrard quiet on Rooney, unsure over Suarez

The Wayne Rooney saga was one Steven Gerrard did not want to be a part of © PA Photos

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Steven Gerrard revealed England team-mate Wayne Rooney confided in him about his uncertain career at Manchester United.

Speaking at an England press conference ahead of their international friendly against Scotland on Wednesday night at Wembley, the captain was asked about the ongoing situation regarding Rooney, but he was quick to distance himself from the talk about the unsettled Manchester United striker.

"It wouldn't be fair on Wayne for me to talk about that conversation, but of course I am close to him," Gerrard said.

"But for me it is all about how Wayne is feeling for the game [against Scotland], and I am sure he will sort the other stuff out.

Rooney was absent from United's Community Shield victory over Wigan on Sunday, but is in contention to play against Scotland - with England facing them for the first time in 14 years.

"He's the same old Wayne Rooney, he's been scoring goals, and he's ready to play. He's prepared really well, he needs minutes for his personal fitness and I'm sure he itching to start," Gerrard added.

Moving away from Rooney, the subject soon switched to his Liverpool team-mate Suarez, who continues to be linked with a move away from Anfield with Arsenal keen to secure his services.

"If I can use my influence to try to make him stay, I will try to do that. For Liverpool to move forward, it's important we keep our best players," Gerrard said, adding that if Suarez were to leave Liverpool it would not be to Arsenal, or any other club in the Premier League.

"I really don't know what is going to happen with him but I'm really confident he won't be going to anyone else in England."

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