Robson urges safe passage for 'jewel' Rooney

Sir Bobby Robson has urged Newcastle's Worthington Cup opponents Everton to take good care of Wayne Rooney. Goals against Arsenal and Leeds in recent weeks have catapulted the youngster, who is 17, into the national spotlight, with some commentators already calling for him to be fast-tracked into the England set-up.

However, the 69-year-old Robson, who has invested in young talent in recent years, insists that the teenager should be nurtured to allow him to mature without the weight of expectation on his shoulders. "I think David Moyes [Everton's manager] will handle that well, as I would with a young player," he said. "You can't be talking about headlines on a young 16-year-old. He's scored two marvellous goals against Leeds and Arsenal, special goals, goals that only special players score, so his potential is enormous.

"He's a jewel in the crown, and David Moyes will want to simmer [the hype] down and keep his feet on the ground."

Robson will rest some of his key players for the game tonight, with Alan Shearer among them, while the 33-year-old Gary Speed could be excused duty too.

Everton have three injury concerns, with Thomas Gravesen doubtful with the knee injury that forced him to miss the wins at West Ham and Leeds, while Niclas Alexandersson also has a knee problem and Scot Gemmill a slight back strain.

Arsène Wenger, convinced the Worthington Cup will die if the competition loses its Uefa Cup place, has backed his team of youngsters to win it this season and end his "biggest regret" as Arsenal manager. Next season is the last in which the League Cup is guaranteed a European prize for the winners, and Wenger believes the Football Association will terminate the competition if it hands the ticket to continental football to a team based on their league finish instead.

"As long as the Worthington Cup has a European place at stake, it will exist," Wenger said. "But as soon as that disappears, the competition has no chance. It would be dead."

Wenger's policy of fielding under-strength sides, a tactic he will continue against Sunderland at Highbury tonight, has hardly bolstered the cup's reputation, but the Frenchman has vowed to keep faith with his emerging stars and for every round of this season's competition. "It will be the young players' competition," he said, "because I don't want to play them for one or two games and then field someone like Patrick Vieira if they do well."

Wenger will include two older players trying to regain fitness after long-term injuries in Robert Pires and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Matt Jansen will make his first start of the season for the Worthington Cup holders Blackburn against Walsall at Ewood Park tonight. Jansen, 25, has been out of action since a motorcycle accident in June but has made a couple of substitute appearances since regaining fitness.

Leeds' task in a difficult tie at Sheffield United is not helped with a host of injuries. Dominic Matteo, Olivier Dacourt, Robbie Fowler and Seth Johnson are all out, while Lucas Radebe is almost certain to be excluded with a knee problem. A number of players are doubtful, including Harry Kewell, Alan Smith, Teddy Lucic, Eirik Bakke and Stephen McPhail.