Paul Scholes has backed Wayne Rooney to make a major impact for England against Uruguay tomorrow night, but only if he is deployed in his preferred position.

The Manchester United attacker is predominantly a centre-forward, but he was asked by Roy Hodgson to operate on the left against Italy on Saturday and was widely criticised for his performance.

However, it has been reported that Rooney will be moved back inside against the South Americans and Scholes has backed his former teammate to produce the goods, particularly against his marker Diego Lugano.

"Wayne Rooney can destroy Lugano, if Wayne is played in his best position. I've read that Rooney stayed for extra shooting practice after training with England on Monday. It doesn't surprise me. That's standard Wayne – he'd be out all day and you'd have to drag him in," Scholes told Paddy Power.

"I'll say it again, Wayne has to play up front. Rio Ferdinand and Alan Shearer have repeated it on the BBC. Play our best goalscorer in his best position and he'll get goals. His record at international level supports that. It's not rocket science."

Rooney is yet to score in any of his nine appearances at the World Cup.