Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Wayne Rooney insists England are not overly concerned by the state of the Arena Amazonia pitch ahead of their World Cup opener against Italy on Saturday.
The field at the Manaus venue has been brought into doubt, with head groundsman Carlos Botella having recently admitted the grass was in "bad shape".
And, while concerns suggest the Three Lions could struggle on the dry surface, Rooney preferred not to focus on such aspects, claiming there would be no clear advantage or disadvantage for either side.
"We're not sure (about the state of the pitch), but I think at the end of the day it's the same for ourselves and Italy so we'll both have to deal with that," said the Manchester United forward.
Meanwhile, England team-mate and goalkeeper Joe Hart echoed Rooney's sentiments, saying: "We've both got to play on it, whatever it is. I think they've worked day and night over here to make it the best it can be.
"We've got to appreciate we're playing in the jungle, so we'll take anything."
The field at the Manaus venue has been brought into doubt, with head groundsman Carlos Botella having recently admitted the grass was in "bad shape".
And, while concerns suggest the Three Lions could struggle on the dry surface, Rooney preferred not to focus on such aspects, claiming there would be no clear advantage or disadvantage for either side.
"We're not sure (about the state of the pitch), but I think at the end of the day it's the same for ourselves and Italy so we'll both have to deal with that," said the Manchester United forward.
Meanwhile, England team-mate and goalkeeper Joe Hart echoed Rooney's sentiments, saying: "We've both got to play on it, whatever it is. I think they've worked day and night over here to make it the best it can be.
"We've got to appreciate we're playing in the jungle, so we'll take anything."
