Pardew works hard to discourage the young players at West Ham from frittering away their considerable wages; anyone who even encourages gambling is immediately fined.

“I am worried about gambling, it is a concern,” said Pardew.

“For the man on the street the figures being bandied around are incomprehensible.

“Players have to take responsibility in terms of the wages they are putting on. They have to look at the figures they are using and show common sense in their dealings.”

Rooney reportedly owes the money to a business associate of his England strike-partner Michael Owen.

“I don’t think you will ever take gambling away from any professional sportsman of any sport, let alone football,” said Pardew.

“But I do everything I can, telling my staff not to encourage it or talk about it. I have one member of staff who is constantly fined for bringing it up.”