Rooney upbeat about England chances

Wayne Rooney says he is feeling confident about England’s chances ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2012 quarter-final meeting with Italy.

The Manchester United striker was suspended for both of his country’s opening Group D fixtures against France and Sweden, but returned to score the winner as Roy Hodgson’s side downed Ukraine to top the group and progress into the last eight.

Speaking ahead of the do-or-die clash, Rooney, who is set to start against Italy, claims that unlike previous tournaments, he does not feel the pressure and is keeping quietly optimistic.

“I feel good. I feel fresh. In some ways, missing the first two games may help me in the later games. So I’ll be ready. I’m looking forward to it,” the 26-year-old told Times of India.

“You have to play the best teams if you want to win tournaments and how much of a boost would it be for us if we beat them?

“How much confidence would that give us? Italy is a difficult game, however. It’s important that we’ve got an extra day’s rest, though, and we need to use that time wisely to prepare.

“I’ve played better. (Ukraine) was my first game for a while so it was always going to take time to get into it. There were a few sloppy things, (such as) giving the ball away.

“To be honest, I don’t feel (the pressure). Sometimes it might look like that. But I don’t think I have to try too hard to make us win. I do hear all that stuff; but I don’t take much notice of it.”