DEFOE: ROONEY NOT ON THE WANE

Rooney - time to improve.

Jermain Defoe is convinced there is much more to come from England strike partner Wayne Rooney.

The first murmurings of discontent about Rooney's performances for his country have started to be raised in recent times.

In 30 internationals since March 2006, the Manchester United man has played in only 15 and scored on just three occasions.

It is a tally that does scant justice to his ability and, at a time when Old Trafford team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged as the best player in the world, has led some to claim Rooney has not improved in the way most imagined when he broke onto the scene at Euro 2004.

Defoe does not agree. The Portsmouth forward is set to be paired with Rooney in Barcelona on Saturday when England open their World Cup qualifying campaign against Andorra. And he feels Rooney has plenty still in his locker.

"Wayne is only going to get better," said the 25-year-old.

"Maybe you could say the expectation on him has been unfair but he has set such high standards, by doing so well in his career.

"But he is at a great club, he is still young and he is still learning."

Defoe feels it is also unfair to level against Rooney the familiar complaint of not doing as well for England as he does for Manchester United.

As the Portsmouth man points out, the two situations are quite different.

"You are not with these players every day, so you don't have the same familiarity," he said.

"Maybe sometimes players have done well, but not quite as well as they do for their clubs, and people pick up on it.

"As a squad we need to stick together. The greatest teams have won championships because they have been united. We have to keep improving and have a good campaign."

With coach Fabio Capello deciding Michael Owen is not fit enough to play a role in his first competitive double-header, the spotlight will be on Rooney and Defoe even more than usual.

For Defoe, who will be starting a fourth successive international for the first time if he keeps his place this weekend, the expectation will be a new experience.

"I accept there is more pressure on me to deliver," he said.

"But that is part and parcel of being a footballer.

"As a professional, you want to play in massive games. It is what you dream about as a kid. You want to play for your country and play in massive tournaments.

"I am ready and really looking forward to the challenge."

However, Defoe is eager to avoid comparisons with Owen, no matter what similarities exist between the two men.

"I am not thinking about being like Michael Owen. I prefer to concentrate on being Jermain Defoe," he said.

"Maybe because of the way we play - Michael is quick, gets in behind and scores goals - is the reason people compare us.

"But I just want to concentrate on myself and improve my own game."

Frank Lampard seems certain to be fit to face Andorra.

It was feared the Chelsea midfielder might not make the encounter at the Olympic Stadium at Montjuic after limping out of Stamford Bridge following the Premier League draw with Tottenham on Sunday.

However, the injury has proved to be nothing more serious than a dead leg and he was able to get through a session with fitness coach Massimo Neri, along with Wes Brown and Ashley Cole, who missed training after sustaining minor knee knocks on club duty.

Skipper John Terry's bug has proved short-lived and he was able to take part in both main training sessions as Fabio Capello put his side through their paces ahead of his first competitive game as England coach.

The only member of Capello's 23-man squad not to train was Rio Ferdinand, who has a stiff back.