Rooney has had an indifferent start to the season for Man Utd

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes he must be given the chance to play himself back into form.

The 24-year-old has suffered from poor performances and off-field controversy this season but has defended himself by insisting: "I'm only a human being."

Rooney is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, although he hopes to be fit for England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro on 12 October.

He said: "I need to get through this and get back to playing the way I can."

Rooney, who has yet to score for United from open play this season, was omitted from United's team for their recent clash against former club Everton after allegations over his private life.

And after sustaining his injury in the second half of the 2-2 draw at Bolton last weekend, manager Sir Alex Ferguson left the forward at home for Wednesday's Champions League victory against Valencia.

The injury also sees him miss Saturday's Premier League clash at Sunderland.

But Rooney, who could still be named in the England squad on Monday for the match against Montenegro, believes playing time is all he needs to hit form.

"I'm only a human being," he said. "I hurt as well. I know I can play better, so I'm hoping to get a consistent run of games in the team.

"If I do that, I'm sure my form will be back to its best.

"When you're not playing at your best, you need to just continue playing and doing the simple things, then your form will come good."

606: DEBATE Just wondered what your 23-man squad would be for the upcoming game against Montenegro? Heskeys_Biggest_Fan

Ferguson is refusing to rush back his star striker too soon although he believes Rooney could make the Montenegro game and will leave the decision up to England coach Fabio Capello.

"Wayne trained on Thursday and he wants to play on Saturday," said Ferguson.

"But I have to take the view that this injury has been niggling away for a while and he kept on playing.

"I have to be dead sure that I am doing the right thing because Wayne has not been doing himself justice.

"I think in a week he will be fine. Obviously we don't play in a week, so it is up to Fabio Capello whether he wants him to.

"The Montenegro match is another 10 days away and by that time I would expect Wayne to be 100%."

Rooney's sole striker for United this season was a penalty against West Ham and he also endured a disappointing World Cup, failing to score as England exited in the last 16.

He did net on his last England appearance, however, the 3-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Switzerland in September.

And Rooney: "You always want to play well and give your manager no excuses to leave you out. I want to play every game and never want to be left out but that's the manager's decision.

"But you know that being at a top club like Manchester United there are top players there so you want to be at your best to keep your spot.

"All players get left out at some stage but I'm pretty confident my form will be back to where it should be."

Rooney's England availability for the Montenegro game would be a huge boost to Capello, considering he is unable to select midfielders Frank Lampard and Theo Walcott and strikers Jermain Defoe and Bobby Zamora because of injuries.

Newcastle striker Andy Carroll has been tipped to win his first call-up to the senior squad after he was left out of Stuart Pearce's Under-21s.

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