Roy Keane believes that England boss Roy Hodgson should start Wayne Rooney on the bench for Tuesday's final Euro 2012 group game against co-hosts Ukraine.
Hodgson has Rooney available for selection following the completion of his two-match suspension.
The boss has since hinted that he will throw the 26-year-old straight into his starting lineup, with Danny Welbeck and Andy Carroll left to battle for the one remaining centre-forward position.
However, Keane has claimed that his former Manchester United teammate should be forced to begin the encounter as a substitute.
"Wayne Rooney is England's best player — but that doesn't mean he must start against Ukraine," Keane told The Sun. "I've said before that Danny will be a top, top player. To score the winner with a finish like that will have done his confidence the world of good.
"The same goes for Carroll. He's got a lot of stick and people might question Sweden's defending for his goal but he's done so well.
"England have proven, both in the tournament and the friendlies leading up to it, they can cope without Wayne."
The Three Lions will progress to the quarter-finals if they avoid defeat against Ukraine.
Liam Apicella
