Rooney's goals against West Ham this week, his 26th and 27th of the season, means he has only 15 fewer than Ronaldo's tally in the 2007-08 campaign when the Portugal winger established himself as one of the world's finest matchwinners.

Rooney's recent form has drawn comparisons to Ronaldo's impact, with Capello thanking Sir Alex Ferguson for developing the 24-year-old's talent at Old Trafford.

Capello has weighed in with his own advice, telling Rooney to become more of a poacher - and this season he has become a great goalscorer rather than a scorer of great goals.

As he proved against AC Milan and West Ham, he is also adding headed goals to his game.

"Wayne is an extraordinary player, he is talented and willing to learn," Capello said. "Ferguson has taught him so much while I've only had to polish him.

"I have told him that he must make sure he plays inside the box and he must continue to score goals.

"The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United has given Rooney more responsibility and he is now integral to their plans."

Capello will be praying Rooney stays fit for the World Cup in South Africa this summer, when he will be looking to match the impact of the likes of Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kaka.

"He (Rooney) is a great player and a great professional," said Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz, who has worked with Rooney and Ronaldo together as United assistant boss.

Heading into the World Cup with Portugal, Queiroz is naturally hoping for Ronaldo will establish himself in South Africa as the best on the global stage.

"I hope Ronaldo is still playing and winning games as the best player in the world," Queiroz said. "If he can do that he can help Portugal a lot."

Rooney was Capello's last skipper, in the clash against Brazil last November, and the captaincy is one of the issues that needs to be resolved before England face Egypt in a friendly at Wembley next week.

With John Terry sacked as skipper over allegations in his private life, Rio Ferdinand was expected to take the armband for the friendly against Egypt next Wednesday. But the Manchester United defender has suffered a setback three matches into his comeback from his back injury. Steven Gerrard is Capello's next in line to lead the team out.

When asked if Ferdinand would be his captain for the tournament in the summer, the England boss simply replied: "Wait."

Queiroz, Capello and 17 other national coaches were in Sun City near Rustenburg for FIFA's pre-World Cup team workshop, where officials were told about the logistics of the tournament.

It was confirmed England will use the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus as their training base for the tournament.

Parts of the complex, in the north-west of the country near Rustenburg, are still under construction but Capello and the Football Association have been assured the project will be delivered on time and the pitches will be up to standard.

As for matters on the pitch, Capello believes his team are in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals.

"A top-four finish? It would be a good thing," Capello said in Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. "But I don't like to settle for anything even though in the Premier League, I only have 38% of the players available for selection with respect to 67% of Italy and 63% of Spain.

"Of the rivals, the ones that have impressed me most have been Brazil and Spain."

Capello also suggested he will not select Michael Owen, England's leading goalscorer among current players, while the striker is not playing regular football for United.

Capello said: "He is one of the best English goalscorers of all-time but if he doesn't play, I cannot pick him."