By Caroline Cheese

EURO 2008 QUALIFIER Group E: Croatia v England Date: 11 October Kick-off: 1800 BST Venue: Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb Coverage: Live on BBC Five Live Sport, updates on the BBC Sport website, highlights on BBC 1 at 2240 BST

Alan Shearer says it is only a matter of time before Wayne Rooney is back on form for England and Manchester United.

A below-par Rooney was substituted as England struggled to break down Macedonia on Saturday.

"He's going through a lean spell but it happens to everyone and he'll get over it," Shearer told BBC Sport.

"It's just a matter of time. I certainly wouldn't leave him out. Wayne Rooney at 90% is better than most players at 100%."

Rooney recently expressed his admiration for Shearer, adding that he had studied videos of the former England striker in action.

Shearer said: "Wayne certainly doesn't need any advice from me. He's a world-class player and what's happening to him happens to us all.

"Everyone has to understand that. Players are not machines - you can't just turn them on and expect them to perform every week."

Rooney and his team-mates are under pressure to deliver a good performance against Croatia on Wednesday after stumbling to a 0-0 draw at home to Macedonia on Saturday.

Shearer said: "The players need to move on from Saturday and it's a good thing that they have a chance to rectify it so soon afterwards.

"To sit on that for a month would have been tough to take for the coach and the players.

"As a player, when you have a disappointing performance and result, you immediately look to when your next game is.