Stan Collymore: 'England should leave Wayne Rooney out of Euro 2012'

Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore is adamant that Wayne Rooney should not be included in the England squad for the European Championships following UEFA's ban ruling the frontman out of the group stage of the finals.

The Manchester United star was hit with a three-match suspension after being sent off in England's 2-2 draw against Montenegro last week.

Despite the former Everton player being eligible to play in the second stage of the finals if England were to progress through the group, Collymore thinks that Rooney should still be left at home.

"To move on from this, if the three-game ban does stand, we shouldn't be taking Wayne Rooney to the European Championships," Collymore told talkSPORT.

"It would send an awful message. When you've got a group of 22, 23 they are all there to be able to contribute and what message does it send to the youngsters?

"It would set Wayne Rooney out as more special than he actually is for England at the moment. If Rooney is going to miss three games, I'd rather have a player there that has the opportunity to come in, under the radar, and perform for England."

The Football Association have yet to decide whether they will appeal the UEFA ruling.