Jaded Rooney faces demotion to the bench

0 Comments | AFP, December, 2003

LIVERPOOL (AFP) — Everton boss David Moyes fears teenage striker Wayne Rooney is in danger of burnout with a spell on the Goodison Park bench looming for English football's hottest property.

After his sensational arrival in the big time last year, the 18-year-old Rooney has struggled with his club this season finding the back of the net only once and being substituted after just 55 minutes of Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Bolton.

"Let's remember his age and what is expected of him," said Moyes.

"He's a great player with great ability and potential so we will need to look after him.

"Maybe we have been playing him too much, maybe we have to look at it and say he's starting too many games and we are expecting too much of him."

Rooney's first rest...