After scoring just once in his previous 15 internationals, England's number one striker bagged two in an impressive 3-0 win over Bulgaria in Sofia tonight.

It took the 25-year-old into joint-eighth position on the all-time England standings, two adrift of Alan Shearer, Nat Lofthouse and Tom Finney.

And, judging by the form he is in at present, it will not be long before Rooney is overhauling that illustrious trio.

"I am really happy because he scored," said Capello.

"Rooney is really important because he is a player with movement.

"He creates a lot of space for the other players and doesn't only stay upfield.

"He comes back and his movement creates difficulties for opponents.

"And afterwards, he always arrives in front of goal where you need him. This is important."

Rooney nodded home Stewart Downing's corner before finishing off a flowing move involving Theo Walcott and Manchester United team-mate Ashley Young.

Having excelled together at Old Trafford already this season, the duo are also hitting it off with England, where Young was deployed in a different role, behind the main forward.

"Ashley played this position with Aston Villa for all of last season," noted Capello.

"I only took him off because I wanted another player in that position to press more, run more, win back the ball and help the midfielders."

That man was James Milner, who helped secure a victory that puts England into a commanding position in Group G, with Capello making light of an injury scare around his star man.

"Rooney has a problem with his foot but I think he should be okay for Tuesday," he said.

"It's a different part of his foot. His big toe. It's nothing, I think but we will have to wait for a minimum of 24 hours.

"I saw him on the bed in the dressing room with the physio speaking with him, but I'm not sure what's really happened."

Rooney has claimed he will be fine too, which is a relief given the proximity of the Wales clash.

Bizarrely, that game is now almost irrelevant after the Welsh inflicted Montenegro's first defeat in Group G in Cardiff.

With Craig Bellamy missing, England will be huge favourites to repeat their triumph at the Millennium Stadium in March.

Yet even if they win, the Three Lions will not be guaranteed a place in Poland and Ukraine next summer, which would be snatched away from them if Montenegro win their final two matches, starting against England, in Podgorica on October 7.

Conversely, England could lose on Tuesday but would still go through if they secured a score draw in Montenegro.

Even Capello is a bit bamboozled by that.

"I am pleased with the result. Really pleased," he said.

"We need to beat Wales to be sure to go to the Euros."

Capello was wrong, but he can be reasonably sure of making it anyway and, given they achieved this result, started by Gary Cahill's excellent early effort, without Frank Lampard for all but the latter stages, and Rio Ferdinand, who did not even make the squad, the Italian's party is in rude health at present.

"Frank didn't play because I had four midfielders," said Capello.

"I saw a lot of Premier League games and, as I said before, I will choose the first XI from players who are in the best form."

A three-goal cushion established by half-time, England coasted to victory after the break, maintaining a 100% record from their three away games so far.

Not that Capello enjoyed the 45 minutes being compared to a training session.

"I respect the players, the opponents, the manager. I don't like your joke at this moment," he told his inquisitor.