Roy Hodgson: 'Wayne Rooney may be targeted'

By Sam Hughes, Reporter | 17 March 2013

England boss Roy Hodgson admits that Montenegro could target Wayne Rooney, but he backs the Manchester United striker to cope with any tactics used against him.

England boss Roy Hodgson has admitted that Montenegro could target Wayne Rooney to try to provoke him when the sides meet in the World Cup qualifier.

Rooney missed two games of Euro 2012 after being sent off for kicking out at Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic in October 2011.

While claiming that he is not concerned about Rooney's temperament, Hodgson insisted that he has no reason to doubt the Manchester United striker's ability to deal with his opponents' tactics.

When asked if Rooney could be a target for provocation, Hodgson said: "You might be right, but they are the things players need to come to terms with.

"Wayne doesn't seem to have been affected by opponents in any game we have played. His disciplinary record is good with us and he has not let me down. I've got no reason to doubt him.

"Wayne made a mistake, he has held his hand up and publicly admitted it was a mistake. He paid a high price for it because he missed two Euro 2012 games. He won't need me to remind him because it will be fresh in his memory because you don't forget being sent off."

Hodgson's men take on Montenegro in Podgorica on Tuesday, March 26 as they look to secure a place in the 2014 World Cup finals.