Rooney says fans' taunts hurt country's ambitions

London:  Wayne Rooney has urged England's fans not to turn on John Terry Thursday night amid concerns that supporters are preparing to shower the disgraced former skipper with abuse at Wembley.

Terry will be bracing himself for a hostile reception in the wake of the scandal that caused Fabio Capello to strip him of the England captaincy.

However, on a day when Rooney echoed Capello in admitting that England's players have to accept they are role models and insisted he had changed his ways in acknowledgement of this he urged the fans who have just voted him their Player of the Year to lay off Terry.

"I hope the fans don't boo him because I have played in England teams when some of our own players have been booed and it's not nice for the whole team, not just the player who has been booed," said Rooney, who expects to play in today's friendly against Egypt.

Good reception

"When you are leading up to a World Cup you want the fans behind you, giving you their whole support. I think that will be really important so I hope he gets a good reception."

Manager Capello was planning to address the squad on their responsibility as England players last night, having spoken to them briefly before training and reminding them of the importance of focusing on the World Cup.

However, Rooney said he was confident the saga had not caused any major disruption to England's preparation for South Africa.

"I haven't spoken to any of the other players about what has gone on. But since we met up last night it has been no different really," he said.