The Three Lions prepare for their World Cup qualifier against Ukraine next week when Slovakia head to Wembley on Saturday for a friendly.

Fabio Capello has joked about Wayne Rooney’s red card at Fulham in a bid to curb the England striker’s explosive temper.

The Manchester United striker was sent off in the closing stages of the 2-0 defeat at Craven Cottage on Saturday after receiving a second yellow card for throwing the ball away.

In front of his England team-mates, Capello dubbed Rooney a “crazy man” on Tuesday, questioning the former player’s actions as he left the field and threw a punch at the corner flag.

Capello is hoping his light-hearted reference will remove any lingering tension ahead of Saturday’s Wembley friendly with Slovakia and Wednesday’s home World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

Rooney’s temper has let him down in the past, most notably in the World Cup quarter-final defeat to Portugal when he saw red after clashing with Ricardo Carvalho, although in the current set of World Cup qualifiers he has yet to receive a caution.

The Three Lions prepare for their World Cup qualifier against Ukraine next week when Slovakia head to Wembley on Saturday for a friendly.

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