GIVEN the two-match ban he acquired from one moment of madness last October, some might regard Wayne Rooney's inclusion in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad as a gamble.

Whether you are optimistic of England's European Championship credentials or not, the news that Rooney would miss the opening two games of the campaign was a huge blow.

With less than 20 minutes remaining of England's qualifying campaign, Rooney foolishly kicked out at Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic, a moment of frustration that earned him a three-match ban from UEFA, later reduced to two games on appeal.

The suspension rules him out of England's Group D opener against France in Donetsk on June 9 as well as the Sweden game four days later in Kiev, and the ban sparked debate as to whether he should be taken to the Championships.

Some argued his inclusion would be a waste of a place, limiting England's attacking options in their opening games and that by the time he returned for the final group game against Ukraine, the Three Lions' fate could already be sealed.

However, given the lack of better options and Rooney's goalscoring form for Manchester United last season - he has averaged nearly a goal per match - it was hard for Hodgson to ignore the explosive striker.

The manager's decision is a positive one. It shows the new England boss is looking past the group stages and planning that his side will progress in the tournament.

"Wayne Rooney is not just part of my plans, but part of England's plans and the England set-up for a long while to come I hope, " said Hodgson.

Whether the gamble pays off remains to be seen, but in Rooney, England have a striker raring to go, desperate to make an impact and eager to improve on his last two major tournament displays.

After his four-goal showing at Euro 2004 at the age of 18, Rooney has endured frustrating times at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and despite the fact he will miss the start of this year's Euros, the striker is keen to help England progress.

"In tournaments, apart from the first one, the others have ended in disappointment for England and me personally, " Rooney said. "It's something I want to put right and with the young players coming in the team I'm confident we can be successful."

As well as improving on his goalscoring record at major tournaments, Rooney has other demons he will be keen to put behind him. His red card in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Portugal brought widespread criticism.

Four years later, Rooney was again criticised when after England had drawn a lacklustre group game with Algeria, he responded to boos, saying: "Nice to see your home fans boo you, that's loyal supporters."

The Scouser has had his fair share of high-profile misdemeanours both on and off the field, but since receiving his ban from UEFA, he appears to be a reformed character.

In seasons gone by, his copy book has been littered with yellow cards, but a single caution, in the penultimate weekend of the Premier League, suggest Rooney has matured in the last 12 months.

Hodgson revealed recently that Rooney had been carrying a slight injury in the last four weeks of the season, but he hopes the extra rest will ensure the striker is fully fit when he returns to action.

"His enthusiasm for the task was really fantastic.

When I offered him a couple more days rest if he wanted, he was adamant he wanted to get in [and join us], " the boss said. "It would have meant asking him to continue playing with this minor injury, which has been kept relatively quiet. It [the break] will benefit him in every respect."