Jagielka predicts Rooney stick

Rooney: Expected to receive stick

Phil Jagielka admits Wayne Rooney may get 'slaughtered' by Everton fans when the striker returns to Goodison Park on Saturday.

"No doubt I'll give him a bit of banter if he plays. There is a good chance he will get slaughtered. He normally gets quite a bit of stick anyway."
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Rooney left Everton to join Manchester United in 2004 and has regularly been jeered on his visits back to his first club.

However, the level of stick is likely to be increased further this weekend following revelations over the 24-year-old's private life in recent days.

Jagielka is looking forward to meeting up with Rooney again after playing alongside him in England's opening Euro 2012 qualifiers and believes Saturday could be 'amusing'.

Banter

"It should be amusing," said Jagielka. "On Merseyside Wayne always gets a little bit of stick and I'll be giving him a little bit as well if he plays on Saturday.

"I've spoken to him about it. All the boys in the England squad know who is playing who.

"It is always interesting playing against people you've just been away with in the week.

"No doubt I'll give him a bit of banter if he plays.

"There is a good chance he will get slaughtered. He normally gets quite a bit of stick anyway. I can't see that changing come Saturday."

Tough battle

Rooney's next three games are against Everton, Rangers and Liverpool, a trio of clubs who are unlikely to have a sympathetic response to the recent headlines he has had to confront.

Jagielka admitted: "I am sure Wayne can deal with it. He is a tough lad and he will let his football do the talking.

"I will enjoy the battle against him. I like playing against good players and Wayne is definitely a good player.

"It is always a tough battle and I've always got to keep concentrated when I play against him."