Stanimir Stoilov, the Bulgaria coach, made an attempt at mind games ahead of Friday's European Championship qualifier against England at Wembley - suggesting Wayne Rooney's temperament is suspect.

Stoilov insisted his players will not try to wind up the Manchester United forward, but nonetheless suggested his side need protection from his more physical attributes.

"Rooney has great skills. I have to teach my players how to stop him on the pitch, not how to provoke him," he said.

"That is not the style of the Bulgarian national team who have come over here to play fairly, but if Rooney is nervous because of his lack of goals, he should be punished if he is too aggressive."

Friday's match will be officiated by the Hungarian referee Victor Kassai.