Rooney aiming to make his mark

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP):

Captain Steven Gerrard is convinced Wayne Rooney is about to break his goal-scoring drought for England and help kick-start their World Cup campaign against Algeria today.

After the opening 1-1 draw against the United States was marred by a blunder by goalkeeper Robert Green, coach Fabio Capello has already made up his mind whether to keep him in goal but won't announce it until hours before the evening kick-off. He did seem to be leaning toward keeping confidence with Green.

"All the players make mistakes, come with mistakes. Forwards, keepers, the defence. But I have to choose about the value of the different players, not their mistakes," Capello said.

If a draw against the United States was barely acceptable, only a win over Algeria will do for an England squad that is expected to progress from Group C. But the Algerians know about upsets, otherwise they would not be at the World Cup.

Both teams suffered from dire goalkeeping errors in their opening matches.

Slovenia took the lead in the group through a 1-0 win because of Algeria's Fawzi Chaouchi's costly mistake.

That, though, was a minor glitch compared with the fumble from Green, which allowed the United States an equaliser and cost England a victory.

Green's horrendous blunder led news bulletins in Britain and was the subject of endless criticism, putting his starting spot at risk despite initial support from within the team.

It also overshadowed a mediocre opening game by Rooney, who was considered until recently as second only to Lionel Messi among the forwards expected to star in South Africa.

Gerrard is confident Rooney is about to explode on the World Cup scene.

"He is looking great in training," Gerrard said on the eve of the match. "I am sure it is only a matter of time before Wayne finds the back of the net."

Only a matter of time

Despite a sterling season for Manchester United, Rooney has not scored for England since a World Cup qualifying win over Croatia last September.

"This season, he has been the best player in the world, or one of them certainly," Gerrard said. "I am sure it is only a matter of time before you see that in this World Cup."

For Rooney, though, the 2010 World Cup is also about making up for a mediocre 2006 edition.

"The last World Cup was a disappointment for me," he said. "I'm looking to do well in this one and try to prove myself on the world stage."

England might not even face Algeria's blundering goalkeeper. Chaouchi hurt his left knee in training on Tuesday, and may save coach Rabah Saadane from having to make a choice about replacing him.

Capello has three fit keepers to select from, though none instils high confidence among the England fans.

Green's pride is already hurt. But will Capello go for veteran David James, who already has earned his nickname 'Calamity' James for good reason?

One selection certainty for England is the return of midfielder Gareth Barry from a six-week injury layoff for his first World Cup game.

"He can sit in the hole for us, is good in possession and gives us another option," Rooney said. The move would drop James Milner to the bench.

Algeria may be No. 30 in the world rankings, 22 spots behind England, and coming to their first World Cup in two decades, yet the Desert Foxes have already proven their strength by rising sharply from No. 103 over the last two years.