The Manchester United star is suspended for England's crucial next World Cup qualifier against Austria after picking up his second booking of the qualifying campaign in Northern Ireland.

While Eriksson has hinted Liverpool beanpole striker Peter Crouch would replace Rooney alongside Michael Owen in a return to a 4-4-2 formation at Old Trafford, he refused to condemn the controversial player.

Rooney was booked in Belfast and substituted before half-time in a friendly in Spain last November to prevent him being sent off.

He was also dismissed for Manchester United at Villarreal earlier this month for sarcastically clapping referee Kim Milton Nielsen during the Champions League qualifier.

The Danish referee is due to take charge of England's final group game against Poland four days after the clash against Austria, putting pressure on Rooney to watch his step.

"It's a pity that he is not available to play against Austria. Wayne Rooney is Wayne Rooney and he is a world-class player," said Eriksson whose side need to win both their last two matches to pip the Poles as automatic qualifiers from Group Six for next summer's finals in Germany.

"He has a temperament but if you take that away from him, he will not play such good football. He must be up there and then it's a balance whether he gets a red card or not.

"But he will learn, I have no worries about that. You can't take away his temperament though."

Rooney's loss of self-control in Belfast, earning his booking with an arm-first challenge on Keith Gillespie, was followed by a four-letter retort at David Beckham when the England captain told him to calm down.

"Of course that shouldn't happen in an ideal world but the world isn't ideal. Nobody is perfect but he will learn," Eriksson told the BBC.

"Spain was a friendly game so I took him off because of that. I wouldn't have done if it was a qualification game. Of course I talked to him in Belfast but I will keep that private."

Eriksson would not exactly confirm his thoughts about Rooney's replacement against Austria, although he clearly seems to favour the potential combination of Owen and Crouch.

Although the Liverpool forward has played just once for his country -- in the summer game against Colombia -- he helped Owen to a hattrick and has since gained some Champions League experience.

The same partnership is now set to be resumed at Old Trafford, with Crouch likely to be preferred to the likes of Jermain Defoe, Andrew Johnson, Alan Smith, Darren Bent or Emile Heskey.

"Peter Crouch is doing very well and he is a player who interests me," said Eriksson.

The England coach, who names his squad for the double-header fixtures on Sunday, will be without Gary Neville and Wayne Bridge, while Michael Carrick and Kieron Dyer are major doubts.

Sol Campbell should at least return to the squad, while West Ham's Paul Konchesky could also feature as reserve to Ashley Cole at left-back and Danny Murphy has been winning rave reviews at Charlton.

Campbell's excellent recent form certainly gives Eriksson a major selection dilemma, with Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, let alone Jamie Carragher and Ledley King, also contesting a starting place.

"I think Sol Campbell is ready. Of course, his injuries were a concern but now he's back and he seems very fit and to be doing very well," said Eriksson.