The Manchester United striker was devastated when England missed out on the finals in Austria and Switzerland last summer.

But he has responded with a glut of goals to take Fabio Capello's side to the brink of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Rooney took his tally to 10 in his last seven appearances for his country in the 6-0 demolition of Andorra at Wembley last night, with eight of those goals coming in qualifiers.

The 23-year-old said: "I think the disappointment of not qualifying for Euro 2008 is still very much in the players' minds. You can't just forget about something like that.

"The manager and the coaching staff coming in have been a big plus for us and they have really got us playing more as a team and winning games. That is the main reason we are doing so well.

"But the hurt of not being part of the finals last summer has certainly motivated me.

"I also know a lot of other players were really hurt and devastated by not going through to the Euro finals. England means so much to us and the fans."

Rooney admits he is targeting lifting football's most coveted trophy but is aware a long season lies ahead before England can contemplate such potential achievements.

He said: "We have won the first seven qualifiers, and we have got one foot in the World Cup finals, and hopefully we can get there in our next game and start preparing for what is ahead.

"To be honest, I haven't thought that much about the World Cup at the moment. I am just looking at qualifying and there will be a lot of preparation for it.

"It is another long season next year with our clubs and we have to make sure we stay fit and stay ready and, when it comes around, we will think about it then.

"But at the start of every season you always have targets and hopefully at the end of this one a World Cup to look forward to - and I hope a World Cup trophy at the end of it."

Rooney is pleased with his current hot streak but is more content with the quality of England's performances.

They took their goal tally to 26 in seven qualifiers with the easy win over Andorra and could clinch a place in the finals if they defeat Croatia at Wembley in September.

He said: "I am delighted I have been scoring in the last few games but the most important thing is we have played well as a team.

"There has been a real momentum during this campaign. I think we have played some great football at times but we have also stuck in there and ground out results at times."