Wayne Rooney expected to behave in Montenegro

JOLEON Lescott is sure that Wayne Rooney will keep his cool in Montenegro as England look to claim top spot in Group H at the scene of perhaps the maddest moment of the striker’s international career.

Rooney was banned for the first two matches of Euro 2012 after kicking out at Montenegro midfielder Miodrag Dzudovic in their qualifier 17 months ago.

The petulant kick was the latest in a line of controversial issues that have dogged the 27-year-old throughout his career.

That famous stamp on Ricardo Carvalho in the 2006 World Cup and a series of off-the-field problems have meant there have always been concerns over Rooney’s temperament, but, in fairness to the striker, he has kept out of trouble ever since his indiscretion in Montenegro capital in October 2011.

England manager Roy Hodgson is wary Montenegro will try to wind Rooney up in tomorrow night’s crunch qualifier, but Lescott is convinced the former Everton man will not lose his temper if they tease England’s star man about the kick.

“Wayne is older now. He is more experienced and mature,” the England defender said.

“We all are. I don’t think there will be a problem. We want to be disciplined and professional. With the calibre of players in this squad, I don’t think it will be a problem.”