Euro 2012: England set to change winning line-up

Wayne Rooney looks set to come straight back into the starting line-up after serving a two-match suspension. Photo / AP

England manager Roy Hodgson is set to change his winning line-up against Ukraine on Wednesday (NZT) as his side seeks another point to reach the quarter-finals of the Euro 2012 soccer championships.

Hodgson, 64, made it clear after the 3-2 victory over Sweden that Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney would come straight back into the starting line-up after serving a two-match suspension.

Hodgson hailed his side's performance in Kiev on Friday evening after coming from behind to beat the Swedes, who only have pride to play for when they come up against France in group D in Kiev.

England need a draw against co-hosts Ukraine in Donetsk to advance, and Hodgson will have to leave out one of the heroes of Friday's victory to accommodate Rooney.

Hodgson had brought in Andy Carroll, a move that paid off when the Liverpool striker headed England ahead in the first half. After Sweden went in front through a Glen Johnson own-goal and an Olof Mellberg header, Arsenal's Theo Walcott then came off the bench to put England level and set up the back-heel winner by Danny Welbeck.

The speculation has already started on who will have to make way for Rooney, with Carroll or Welbeck the likely candidates, and how Hodgson - who was defensive in the 1-1 draw against France - will approach the key match against Ukraine, who need a win to advance.

"I welcome those kind of problems. I was really pleased with the performance of the front players, and Theo Walcott's contribution was enormous. To come on as a substitute, score and then set up the winner means he'll be very happy," the England manager said.

"I believe in Theo. He's a good player with real quality. I've only been working with these players for a month and I'm still learning what they're really good at and what areas we can find improvement but I was delighted with his performance."

Hodgson also praised the suspended Rooney.

"But Wayne Rooney is a special player and it'll be hard to leave him out. If you are one of the front players who gets into the team while Wayne Rooney is serving a suspension, I'm afraid you probably expect him to get his place back once that ban has been served," said the coach.

"Against Ukraine, a player like Rooney can make a major difference and I am delighted to welcome him back. If I did leave him out, all hell might break loose in the dressing room."

The imminent return of Rooney was already featuring in the headlines in the British media on Saturday.

"Beck Heel" a Sun headline said in reference to Welbeck's goal, adding "Danny joy but Roy vows to bring back Roo".

The tabloid Mirror used the Nirvana song Smells Like Teen Spirit to refer to the good vibes in the England side and the age of the scorers (Welbeck 21, Walcott and Carroll both 23) for the headline, "Smells like team spirit: Hero Welbeck praises players while Roy's ready to welcome Wayne back".

-AAP