The Swede is part of the panel which will draw up a list of 30 candidates to be published next week and he is convinced that the 18-year-old Manchester United striker could be a threat to favourites Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho.

"I have had to select a list of 30 players and I should be very surprised if Wayne Rooney is not on that list," said the Swede.

"At Euro 2004, he was one of the best players, if not the best. Is he a genuine candidate? I think so. But suddenly when you talk in those terms, the competition is very high."