Rooney and Heskey partnership key to more success

The attacking partnership of Emile Heskey and Wayne Rooney is the key to England enjoying more success when they face Belarus tonight looking for a fourth successive World Cup qualifying win.

Today’s round of World Cup qualifiers will probably see Alberto Gilardino taking over from struggling Luca Toni as Italy’s main striker if he impresses in a Group Eight game at home to Montenegro as Kevin Kuranyi’s decision to walk out on the national team seems to have disrupted Germany’s preparations for the Group Four qualifier against Wales.

England coach Fabio Capello, speaking after England’s 5-1 win over Kazakhstan at Wembley Stadium in Saturday’s Group Six game, said Rooney, who scored twice, benefits most when he plays alongside the taller, muscular Heskey.

"Rooney is very important for us," said the Italian, "but Heskey is important for him. Defenders always go towards Heskey.

"When that happens, it creates a bit of space for Rooney whose movement is so good."

Although Heskey has not scored for England in his last 16 appearances over the past five-and-a-half years, Rooney is bang in form, scoring in his last four matches for Manchester United and England with his international tally now standing at 17 goals in 47 appearances.

England, without captain John Terry and Ashley Cole, travel to Minsk looking for a fourth successive win in Group Six from their first meeting with Belarus. England have never previously won their four opening matches in a World Cup qualifying campaign.

The home side have three points from two matches after losing 1-0 to Ukraine and beating Andorra 3-1.

They look like being disadvantaged without their best player and skipper, midfielder Aleksandr Hleb who is doubtful after twisting ankle ligaments playing for Barcelona last month.

Toni, 31, is suspended for the match in Lecce having picked up a booking as a substitute in Saturday’s 0-0 draw in Bulgaria.

The Bayern Munich forward, a huge flop during Italy’s disappointing Euro 2008 campaign, was again lacklustre after coming on for the lively Gilardino in the second half.

Gilardino, not even in Roberto Donadoni’s Euro 2008 squad, has been reinvigorated now that he is playing regular football at Fiorentina having been a bit-part player at Milan last term.

The 26-year-old has netted four times in Serie A this season but it was still a slight surprise when coach Marcello Lippi, who had Gilardino in his 2006 World Cup-winning squad, included him ahead of Toni on Saturday.

"I’m sorry for Luca but if Lippi keeps me in the line-up in Lecce, I am ready. I have saved up a goal for Montenegro," Gilardino said.

Montenegro’s Roma striker Mirko Vucinic is well-known to the Italians but may not shake off a knee injury in time.

Montenegro drew 2-2 with Bulgaria and 0-0 with Ireland at home in their opening two qualifiers – their first competitive matches as an independent nation after breaking away from Serbia in 2006.

Germany lead their group after three matches, one point ahead of the Welsh, but Kuranyi’s sulk has not made coach Joachim Loew’s task any easier against a Wales team he believes will sit back and play for a draw.

The Schalke 04 striker was upset at being left out of the 18-man squad to play Russia and did not return to the team hotel after watching the first half in the stands. Loew said on Sunday he will not be selected again.

Both Loew and his captain Michael Ballack acknowledged that Germany rode their luck to hold on for a 2-1 victory against Russia in Dortmund, the visitors denied only by a post near the end.

The match in Moenchengladbach against Wales, who struggled to a 2-0 win over tiny Liechtenstein on Saturday in Cardiff, will be different, Loew said.

"Wales will play more defensively and will probably go for a draw," he said.

Del Bosque’s influence

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque’s skilful handling of Luis Aragones’s Euro 2008 winning side sees them continuing to build on their summer success as they head into a clash with their closest rivals Belgium tonight.

The European champions top qualifying Group Five having won all three of their opening matches without conceding a goal, and lead Belgium and Turkey by two points.

Former Real Madrid boss Del Bosque may come across as a kindly grandfather figure, in contrast to his more cantankerous predecessor, but his man-management skills are an important factor in the side continuing to sweep all before them.

"Spain have a winning momentum and we have to make the most of it to build up the best advantage we can in the group," the 57-year-old said after the victory in Tallinn.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas kept another clean sheet helping Spain set a new national record of just over 700 minutes without conceding a goal, bettering the previous best of 691 minutes achieved in 1992-3.

The side have gone 26 matches unbeaten and few changes are likely for the match in Brussels.