• Euro 2012

Rooney set to stay with England for Switzerland clash

Wayne Rooney provided three assists against Bulgaria © Getty Images

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Wayne Rooney is expected to remain with the England squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier in Switzerland on Tuesday despite allegations over his private life appearing in two Sunday newspapers.

There has been speculation over whether Rooney would drop out of the squad as a result of the reports in the News of the World and Sunday Mirror, but he was still with the squad on Sunday morning and was scheduled to take part in the game.

FA sources have told the Press Association that, although no decision has yet been taken, at present he is due to travel with the squad, and ESPNsoccernet understands discussions took place on Saturday night in anticipation of the news story breaking.

Talks have continued on Sunday morning, but the FA has no intention of taking action against Rooney and will instead look to protect the player, with any withdrawal from the squad entirely at the player's discretion.

Should Rooney drop out, the absence of Peter Crouch through injury means Fabio Capello would be left with only Darren Bent, Carlton Cole and Jermain Defoe as traditional strikers.

It will be of extra relief to Capello that Defoe, who scored a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Bulgaria, was willing to postpone groin surgery to play his part in England's first two Euro 2012 qualifiers.

A close aide of the England manager told ESPNsoccernet on Saturday: "We were aware that Defoe was not available, that he was due to have surgery and that his club, Tottenham, had announced that he wouldn't be available for England.

"But when Franco Baldini called Defoe, he discovered a player who, when told that he was wanted, really wanted to play for England, and that he said he would have the surgery another time.

"For that reason, he deserved what he got against Bulgaria - a hat-trick and a match-winning performance. This player wanted to be with us, and that is the kind of attitude that has made Fabio very happy indeed."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.