Fulham head to Old Trafford tomorrow for the next stop in their relentless season with Bobby Zamora claiming that England can win the World Cup if Wayne Rooney maintains the "unbelievable" form he has shown in a Manchester United shirt when the finals get under way in South Africa in June.
Zamora is enjoying his most prolific campaign in top-flight football and has been widely praised for the contribution he has made to Fulham's season, yet the 15 goals he has scored represent only half of Rooney's remarkable haul for United.
"He's been brilliant, top-drawer," said Zamora. "I suppose [Cristiano] Ronaldo going has made him a better player. He's stepped up and been unbelievable. I just hope that he can continue that into the World Cup because when he's on fire England have every chance of winning it."
There was a time not so long ago when Zamora's performances for Fulham were prompting suggestions that he might have a chance of joining Rooney in Fabio Capello's squad, but the former West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur striker admitted he is resigned to spending the summer watching, rather than playing alongside, England's talisman.
He has already made holiday plans and while cancelling a trip to Las Vegas to go the World Cup would not be much of a hardship, the prospect is far from his mind. "I'm pleased by the way the season has gone so far and just want to continue that," said Zamora. "It's nice [people talking about a call-up] but it's not something I'm thinking about. I'm doing my stuff for Fulham and what happens, happens. But I will be watching the World Cup on the box wherever I am."
The United match will be the 47th game of Fulham's season – more than any other Premier League club – and there were signs during the 3-1 defeat in Juventus on Thursday night that an unforgiving schedule is beginning to catch up with Roy Hodgson's players. Dickson Etuhu's away goal has, however, given Fulham hope that Juventus can be vanquished in the second-leg at Craven Cottage on Thursday.
"We're disappointed because two of the goals were conceded through set-plays,' said Zamora. "On the other hand we dominated the second half and created a few chances. But we will go back to Craven Cottage where we are good and hopefully can get something. The tie is certainly not dead."