Rooney was left on the bench by Koeman for Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Burnley last time out.
That result left Everton just two points above the relegation zone with seven points from as many fixtures.
But Toffees boss will turn to Rooney tomorrow at Brighton to give his side greater mental strength.
Koeman said: “I saw the reactions of the players when Burnley scored the goal and it was ‘s**t, again’.
“They are doubting, mentally - it’s difficult when out of one chance, they score a goal.
“Of course it’s the time for all the experienced players. Wayne’s always in my thoughts.
“It’s for everybody who starts to be a team and get a good result. In that team there are experienced players who can deal with more pressure.
“The Burnley game was a different system to play. We had two strikers in front and you need to make hard decisions in other positions behind the two strikers.”
Koeman will not take defender Ashely Williams out of the firing line despite a nightmare few weeks for club and country.
The centre-back has struggled for Everton this season and made a decisive mistake in Wales’ 1-0 defeat to Republic of Ireland which ended their World Cup dreams.
“Of course he is one of the players who is finding it really difficult at the moment,” said Koeman. “Maybe they have punished him with goals when he’s made a mistake.
“He’s trying to find his confidence. If you have doubts in football it makes it more difficult. We need to help him.”
Koeman, meanwhile, has ruled himself out of contention for the Netherlands job.
The Dutch this week failed to reach their second successive major tournament after finishing third in their World Cup qualifying group.
“No way,” Koeman said, when asked if he would like the job. “I am not surprised they put my name in because they did the same some years ago.
“But I am Everton manager. That’s the most important and nothing else.”
