Steven Gerrard insists there is no question that Wayne Rooney should be picked by Fabio Capello for next summer's Euro 2012 despite picking up a three-game international ban.
Rooney will miss all three of England's group-stage matches after being sent off in England's 2-2 draw in Montenegro, prompting some pundits to suggest the Manchester United striker should be left out of Capello's squad.
But Gerrard, who scored the opening goal in Saturday's 1-1 draw against United at Anfield, believes Rooney should be one of the first names to be picked.
"For me he has got to go, the talent that he is," Gerrard told Talksport's Stan Collymore in a telephone interview. "He is that good a player I think you have to take the risk and take him. It is devastating he is out for the first three games, it is a massive blow for everyone.
"We will have to see who we come up against in the group games but we should progress from the group stages and then you need your best player out there with you to push on all the way to the final."
Despite admitting that Rooney's absence will be "devastating", Gerrard believes the striker's absence could have a positive impact on the squad.
"I don't think anyone needs to keep him involved, he is a good character to have off the pitch," Gerrard said."Not having him for the first three games will hopefully galvanise the squad. We all need to pull together and take responsibility with him not being there. Then hopefully if we do get out of the group he will be there fit and fresh to help us push on."
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