Capello threat to bench Man U star Rooney

England coach Fabio Capello has warned Wayne Rooney that he cannot expect to stroll back into the Euro 2012 reckoning after serving his suspension for his red card in Montenegro.

Rooney will serve at least a one-match ban at the finals in Poland and Ukraine next summer after the Manchester United star suffered the sixth sending off of his career and Capello said he will no hesitate to look at alternatives.

"Yes," replied Capello, when asked if he was prepared to leave Rooney out of his team.

"In my life as a manager I have put on the bench a lot of players. I always decided who was the best player at that moment."

The Italian added: "I need to find the solution for the first game, or two games, that Rooney will not play.

"And if we find that solution, he needs to work to return to the first 11.

"You know me. Sometimes I make mistakes but I try to select the best players, in the best moment of form."

"There were two I did not select for this game who are doing really well. I saw the game that (Jermain) Defoe played against Arsenal. He did really well. He ran a lot and pressed a lot. Daniel Sturridge is the same."

With qualification assured, Capello will use the November 12 friendly against world champions Spain to examine the striking options available to him.

"Rooney will not play against Spain. I want to test new players, a new style and different movement," said Capello.

"Sometimes he will come on at half-time. But not from the start. He will not start. We need to prepare the first XI who will start in the Euros.

"I have got a lot of forwards at this moment, really good forwards, and I need to find the best solution."

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