Lescott backs mature Rooney

England defender Joleon Lescott has warned Montenegro that they face a ‘backlash’ from Wayne Rooney in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier.

The Manchester United striker missed the opening two games of Euro 2012 after being sent off in England’s last trip to Podgorica for aiming a petulant kick at Miodrag Dzudovic.

But Lescott believes the 27-year-old has matured since then, and has backed him to prove it at the City Stadium.

“The backlash could be just that – it could enhance his performance,” Lescott told reporters.

“On his day, Wayne is one of the best in the world so I doubt they will try to enhance his performance.

“They might play on his temperament but Wayne has matured now. He is older and more experienced now and I am sure he will be professional enough to deal with anything that they throw at him.

“Sometimes they kick, niggle and use time wasting. Anything to try to frustrate you.

“You have to deal with that but those kinds of things come quite easy for me to deal with. I don’t think anyone will be fazed by what they have to face.

“There will be a lot of expectation on Wayne but knowing him I don’t think he will let that faze him in any way. I don’t think he will be drawing on any negativity from previous performances. He will just be focused on producing the goods.

“I don’t think that will influence Wayne in anyway, he’s a top professional and he believes in his own ability more than anyone so I’m sure going into the game on Tuesday that he won’t be with a point to prove but he’ll be just determined to win the game for us.

“We’re all old enough to realise that there will be issues there, they’ll try to wind us up, waste time and stuff like that if need be but I like to think we’re all mature enough to deal with that.

“Maybe when he was a bit younger, he had a bit more of a temper in him. But he’s older, more mature and experienced in every situation.”