Steve Mcclaren Denies Falling Out With Wayne Rooney

Steve McClaren has moved to dispel rumours of internal rifts within the England camp, describing claims that he had fallen out with striker Wayne Rooney as "an absolute load of rubbish".

McClaren was understood to have singled Rooney out for criticism in the dressing room after England's goalless draw with Israel, with some reports claiming he told the striker that he hadn't been any good since Euro 2004. Rooney was variously reported to have stormed out, shouted back, or thrown his kit against a wall in response, but McClaren today refuted suggestions that he had lost the support of his players.

"It's an absolute load of rubbish. The togetherness of the squad has never been better," he insisted, before also denying having a problem with assistant Terry Venables, whose public comments on tactics have at times appeared to undermine the manager's authority. "People are just trying to stir things. Terry gives me advice like all the staff do and he gives me great advice," he added.

But McClaren was less forthcoming over what had taken place in the dressing room on Saturday night, saying only: "What happens in the dressing room, happens in the dressing room. We get on well with each other."