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Capello was not happy after the striker was sent off against Montenegro on Friday. Darko Bandic/AP/Press Association Images
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Capello hints he could drop Rooney

The manager had some harsh words for the Man United man following his sending-off on Friday, suggesting he was not untouchable and indicating that he will experiment with his starting line-up ahead of Euro 2012 next summer.

ENGLAND MANAGER FABIO Capello has indicated no one  is untouchable in his side – not even Wayne Rooney.

Rooney’s lack of discipline cost Capello’s side last Friday, as his sending-off prompted their opponents, Montenegro, to stage a late fightback and gain a draw.

The striker apologised to Capello immediately after the game, however the Italian has since given him a terse warning, telling reporters:

“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.”

Ominously for Rooney, he then added: “In my life as a manager I have put on the bench a lot of players.”

He confirmed that Rooney would play no part in the next two or three games, as he experiments with the likes of Jermain Defoe and Daniel Sturridge ahead of Euro 2012 next summer.

The emergence of players such as Sturridge and Danny Welbeck, in addition to Rooney’s relatively poor international form – he has scored only three goals in his last 18 appearances – have led many to question whether he deserves to be an automatic starter.

Capello’s decision to start Rooney on Friday was also queried, in light of the emergence of allegations surrounding his father, with critics suggesting he was not in a fit mental state to play.

Read: Meet the guys aiming to derail Ireland’s Euro 2012 hopes>

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