Alan Shearer: 'Italy clash will be Wayne Rooney's biggest England game'

Former England striker Alan Shearer has claimed that Wayne Rooney will be playing his "biggest game" for the Three Lions in tonight's Group D opener against Italy in Manaus.

The 28-year-old, who has scored 39 goals in an England jersey, has been named in Roy Hodgson's starting XI against the 2006 World Cup winners, on the left-hand side of attacking midfield behind Daniel Sturridge.

Shearer told BBC Sport before the game: "This is Wayne Rooney's biggest game for England.

"He has to go out and perform and score goals. If England don't get a good result you can imagine what the press will be like and Wayne will bear the brunt of it.

"He scored in a recent friendly against Ecuador and you saw the relief on his face. Now he needs to do it when it matters."

Rooney has not scored a goal in 594 minutes of World Cup football, but is hoping for a scoring streak in Brazil.