Sven-Goran Eriksson believes that Wayne Rooney will get better and better the further England progress at the World Cup finals.

The Manchester United ace has make a quickfire return from a toe injury to feature in Germany and is set to be fielded as a lone striker in the quarter-final against Portugal.

Eriksson said ahead of Saturday's showdown: "It is a pity about the expectation levels everyone places on Wayne Rooney, because I don't think it is fair.

"He has been away for a long time, but he is doing a good job and I think he is doing better and better.

"The expectations will not be too much for him. He is not the type to be worried about pressure and things like that. He can handle that better than anyone else.

"I think Wayne can last for the two hours if that is what is required. I think he has shown he can do that against Ecuador, when he played his best football in the last 20 minutes.

"He got better and better as the game went on, which is a good sign.

"I think you will see an even better Wayne Rooney on Saturday than in the last game."