Eriksson was delighted with Rooney's performance England's win in pictures

Rooney inspired England to victory with a stunning individual display as goals from Darius Vassell and David Beckham sealed the triumph.

Eriksson revealed he had left it late to tell Rooney he would be playing, and hinted the Everton striker would hold on to his starting place for the next match.

"Wayne only knew about it at about four o'clock. To be fair to him he said 'okay' - it was a very good reaction," Eriksson said.

Match report: England 2-0 Turkey

"He's a great talent, we knew that before. But now we know he's ready for the big matches. I can't see any reason why I should leave him out if he plays like that."

Rooney's England team-mate Steven Gerrard was also enamoured by the teenager's display.

He said: "I have never seen a full debut before as good as that. He was so full of confidence.

"He's got good vision, he is big, he's strong, he can hold the ball up, he can change pace, he's clever for his age and he can score goals."

Rooney's stunning performance also drew praise from Bill Kenwright, owner of his club Everton.

Rooney was like a breath of fresh air Ex-England captain Terry Butcher More expert analysis

"If our expectations are high that's probably good for the boy and will help keep him up there," Kenwright told BBC Radio Five Live.

"But the boy has something special that we have to cherish and look after, and that's what we have to do at Everton."

Rooney's performance will have alerted talent scouts with the world's biggest clubs, but Kenwright has no fears that he will leave.

"Are you trying to tell me there's a bigger club than Everton? Do me a favour, he's going nowhere."

Eriksson was delighted with the way his side adapted to a slight change in formation and admitted that defeat would have almost certainly handed the group to the Turks.

"We controlled the midfield and made life very difficult for them. We also defended very well - you have to against Turkey.

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"It was a very important game for us. If Turkey had won they would have more or less won the group.

"I think it was a small surprise for them that we played as well as we did," Eriksson added.

England captain David Beckham said he thought Eriksson's side had silenced their critics by gaining the victory.

"We showed passion. The 'no-hopers' did well in the end," he said.

"We deserved the win. We worked hard, battled hard and there was definitely a lot of passion from everyone out there. The best team won in the end.

"It's a great night for English football and for the young players who've come into the team.

"We put in a professional performance on Saturday and a magnificent one here."