‘Terry has no credibility’ - Chelsea legend Desailly

Wayne Rooney has thrown his support behind beleaguered England teammate John Terry, on the same day Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly claimed the Blues' skipper had become a liability. World Cup winner Desailly said that Terry's off-field antics had created "big problems" within Stamford Bridge and the Frenchman predicted "a hard end to the season" for Chelsea.

Since news broke of Terry's fling with Vanessa  Perroncel, the former girlfriend of Wayne Bridge, Chelsea's Premier League form has slumped. They've lost their last two matches, allowing Manchester United and Arsenal to close the gap at the top of the table, and Desailly says Terry's to blame. Desailly joined Chelsea in 1998 and went on to make over 200 appearances for the West London outfit. He captained the Blues before passing the armband to Terry in 2004 but now he believes the England defender must relinquish the honour. "He [Terry] has no credibility whatsoever within the club and this is being felt," said Desailly. "No one is following him. Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and the others who knew Wayne Bridge no longer allow him to be the leader."

However, Wayne Rooney rubbished suggestions that Terry might prove a distraction in the England camp as they prepare to face Egypt tomorrow at Wembley. "John is a leader for our team," insisted Rooney. "He hasn't got the armband but he's still a great player and a great leader. The squad has been no different since we've met up."

Rooney added that Terry remained a class act and would prove his knockers wrong at Wembley. "He's a great player, I think he's been named in the world XI for the last three years. There are no worries about his form, that's for sure."

Not wishing to appear to take sides in the furore, Rooney also paid tribute to Bridge and his decision to refuse to play in the same England side as Terry. "Wayne Bridge is a fantastic player and especially now with Ashley Cole being injured I'm sure he'd have been the one to take his place," said Rooney. "It's unfortunate but it's his decision and you have to respect it."

As for Rooney himself, the in-form frontman declared he would be fit to face Egypt after shaking off a knee injury he picked up in Sunday's Carling Cup Final.  "Yes it's okay, I went for a scan today and it's just a bit of bruising," the 24-year-old told reporters, adding that he will train today and "should play on Wednesday".

Rooney, who came off the bench to score United's winner in the 2-1 defeat of Aston Villa, has scored 25 goals in 57 England appearances and on current form he'll be expected to add a few more against Egypt. ·