Beckham says Rooney will deliver

ENGLAND v NORTHERN IRELAND World Cup qualifying Group 6 | 26 March 1500 GMT | Old Trafford | Live BBC1, BBC Radio Five Live, Radio Ulster England team news Thoughts from N Ireland camp N Ireland team news World Cup qualifying tables

David Beckham says the police investigation surrounding Wayne Rooney will not affect the England striker's performance against Northern Ireland.

Rooney, 19, will play in Saturday's World Cup qualifier despite Greater Manchester Police looking into allegations he assaulted a student.

The incident is alleged to have taken place in a Manchester bar this week.

Beckham said: "I don't know what has gone on but from Wayne's mood it has not affected him at all."

Rooney was in the Tiger Tiger bar with Manchester United team-mates Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown and Roy Carroll on Monday night.

Full story: Police to probe Rooney 'assault'

It is thought the incident, alleged to have taken place at 0100 GMT in the early hours of Tuesday, came after Rooney was taunted about his transfer from Everton to United.

Police said a "formal complaint of assault" had been made but a spokesman for Rooney has already denied that any assault happened.

We're confident we will win the game but we're not going to be complacent because Northern Ireland have got some good players David Beckham

"Wayne is fine," said Beckham, who has speaking at the official launch of the new England kit, which will be worn for the first time on Saturday.

"To be honest I don't know that much about what's been said but we're here as a team and we stick together.

"We've got a big game on Saturday and we're focusing on that. He's a young lad, and at the end of the day he'll be there giving 100 per cent on Saturday."

The incident is alleged to have happened on Monday but Beckham defended Rooney's right to be out for an evening close to a game.

"If he's gone out with friends for a meal or whatever then it is over a week before the game," the England captain said.

Rooney can play against Northern Ireland despite the ongoing investigation because the FA's rules have changed since Alan Smith was asked to leave the squad before a friendly against Denmark in November 2003 after being interviewed by police.

Smith had been accused of throwing a bottle into the crowd during a game but he was cleared of any wrongdoing and now the FA will only suspend players from England duty if they are found guilty of an offence in court.

Meanwhile Beckham, who returned to training on Wednesday after scans on a long-term back problem, promised that England would be taking their Group 6 opponents seriously.

"Every game we go into - World Cup qualifying or a friendly - we take seriously because it's important to us," he said.

"These days there are no easy games of football and it doesn't matter who you're playing against - in the league, cup or World Cup qualifying - it's going to be tough.

"We're confident we will win the game but we're not going to be complacent because Northern Ireland have got some good players.

"But we're confident and we're looking forward to it."

Beckham and Rooney are certainties to be included in Eriksson's line-up while coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has also suggested that recalled striker Emile Heskey could play a part.

"Emile Heskey is playing very well at the moment," said Eriksson. "When he is showing that fighting spirit he is always a very useful player.

"He is good in the air, that can be very useful against Northern Ireland."