Shearer: Rooney needs to fire up

England legend, Alan Shearer is adamant that the real Wayne Rooney did not show up against the USA.

The Manchester United striker looked frustrated throughout the Group C match which ended in a 1-1 draw.

With Emile Heskey partnering him upfront, Rooney tried his best to get into the game but looked off the pace and at times, angry with himself.

In his column for The Sun, Shearer revealed: "Rooney needs to play with fire in his belly.

"It doesn't matter whether he is playing in the school playground or the World Cup finals, he needs that inner drive and hunger that sets him apart from the rest.

"I am willing to bet that Wayne will make a big, positive impact on these finals and we should all be thankful that we have a genuinely world-class player in our ranks."

Shearer was also quick to point out that in order for Rooney to make an impact, Fabio Capello will need to choose the right tactics to fully maximize his star striker's role on the pitch.

He added: "I still maintain Rooney up on his own and Gerrard slightly behind him, breaking into the box from deeper positions, would be a winning formula.

"Wayne has the mobility, the touch and the body strength to hold off defenders and the vision to bring others into play.

"Playing on his own doesn't remove any of his goal-scoring threat either."

The Newcastle United legend refused to jump on the bandwagon to dismiss England's chances of claiming the trophy.

"We will get into the second round - no question about that - though it is important now that we win the group to avoid Germany in the next stage.

"All we have to do is produce two better results than America in our games against Algeria and Slovenia and that shouldn't be beyond us.

"I felt desperately sorry for Rob Green but one blunder hasn't made him a bad goalkeeper. Mishaps and upsets do seem to happen to England at the final stages of major tournaments.

"With a bit of luck we have got the gremlins out of the system early on this time around and can go on and have a relatively trouble-free tournament - and a successful one.' said Shearer.