The midweek friendly with Egypt represents the first time England have been in action since Terry's much-publicised personal problems led to him being sacked as captain by Fabio Capello.

In addition, Wayne Bridge remains so upset about the turmoil Terry has caused to his own life that he has made himself unavailable for England selection.

Although Chelsea supporters have remained steadfastly behind their man, to the extent of disgracefully booing Bridge at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, the England fans are likely to be less forgiving.

Gary Neville, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole are just three of the players who have received less-than warm welcomes on home soil in recent times. It would be no surprise if Terry's name was added to that list this week.

But Rooney feels such an expression of discontent would be counter productive.

"I hope the fans don't turn against John Terry," said the Manchester United man.

"I have played in England teams when some of our own players have been booed. It has not been nice, not just for that one player, but for the whole team.

"Leading up to a World Cup you want the fans behind you.

"We need their full support. It is really important.

"I hope he gets a good reception on Wednesday."

Although certain City players wore 'Team Bridge' t-shirts in the immediate aftermath of Terry's alleged affair with Vanessa Perroncel, the mother of Bridge's young son, becoming public, inside the England camp, everything remains calm.

Yet Capello has already said he intends to sit his players down and remind them of their responsibilities, which Rooney accepts exist, whether players like it or not.

"It is difficult," he said.

"As a footballer you know people look up to you.

"You are role models whether you like it or not.

"You need to try and be aware of that and try and do your best on the pitch and do things well for kids to see."

Having found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons much earlier in his career, Rooney now opts for the quiet life.

"When I first joined Manchester United I used to go out to nightclubs, but it is very rare that I would go out to a nightclub now," he revealed.

"It changes with age. I made that decision myself. I got into a few things that I shouldn't have and I tried to change that.

"I am settled at home now. I spend a lot of time with my family and that has obviously benefited me."

It is advice Terry might do well to heed as he ponders the mess he landed himself in.

Despite his recent dip in form, Capello has made it clear he has no intention of leaving the Chelsea skipper out of his squad, with Rooney confirming it has been business as usual so far this week.

"John Terry is a great captain and a great leader," he said.

"Whether he has the armband or not he will still be a great leader for us at the World Cup.

"Rio Ferdinand has obviously captained Manchester United to Champions League success and Steven Gerrard has done the same at Liverpool.

"We have some great captains in the team and I don't think we will be short."

That is not to say there is no sense of regret at Bridge's absence.

From a purely professional basis, Rooney wishes the Manchester City man was still around.

"We are weakened by not having him," said Rooney.

"He is a fantastic player, especially with Ashley Cole being injured. He would have been the one to replace him.

"It is unfortunate but it is Wayne's decision and we have to respect it."

Rooney also found himself in the rather unusual position of having to stand up for someone who has never played for England before.

England's number one front-man knows Ryan Shawcross well from their time together at Manchester United.

And he knows Shawcross is not the type of player to deliberately injure someone, as has been suggested in the aftermath of his tackle on Aaron Ramsey on Saturday that left the Arsenal man with a badly broken leg.

"You could see Ryan was upset after the game," said Rooney.

"He is not that kind of player.

"It is unfortunate but he has to move on now.

"He is in the squad at a young age and it is important he tries to get a game.

"If he does I am sure he will do well."