Rooney ‘cleared to play’
Wayne Rooney will be fit to help England battle for World Cup glory, the Fifa website said tonight.
The claim came as the 20-year-old took to the air on his way back to Germany amid fevered speculation that he has been cleared to play after a crucial scan on his broken foot in a UK hospital.
There was no immediate official announcement from the FA on whether the forward, who broke his metatarsal playing against Chelsea five and a half weeks ago, had been given the all-clear by doctors his return on a private jet tonight boosted hopes.
A report on the Fifa site said: “England have been boosted by the news that Wayne Rooney will be fit to play some part in Germany 2006.
“The 20-year-old striker will be included in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s 23-man squad for the tournament, which begins on 9 June.”
The Fifa report came after BBC Sport quoted FA sources as saying that Rooney had indeed been given the green light to play.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was also tonight said to be confident that the Manchester United star would be able to join his line up.
Speculation mounted after Rooney emerged smiling from the Bupa Whalley Range hospital in Manchester earlier this evening.
The broad grin of FA executive director David Davies as he accompanied Rooney out of hospital and the player’s short drive to the city’s airport, also fuelled hopes.
After seeing the pictures Eriksson was quoted as saying: “Yes, I think it’s good news, he is coming back.”
If the reports are true it is unclear how soon he would be able to take to the field but it is thought any first appearance would be at the first knock-out phase on June 24 or 25.
The nation’s hopes have been raised by pictures of Rooney dribbling, keeping up the ball, running hard on the spot, and volleying during training.
Eriksson acknowledged the player’s fitness looked “very good” ahead of the scan.
Before taking off en route for Baden-Baden the striker spent two hours with respective England and United team doctors Lief Sward and Tony Gill, before emerging tight-lipped for his drive through a mass of security guards, fans and media.
The speed of Rooney’s return also fuelled speculation that a return has been given the blessing of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
When the results of his player’s previous scan were released two weeks ago, Sir Alex insisted Rooney would have to be fully recovered before he would release his prize asset.
Ferguson, who is also believed to have been involved in this afternoon's discussions, had always insisted it would take Rooney six weeks to recover full fitness.
When the results of his player’s previous scan were released two weeks ago, the United boss insisted Rooney would have to be fully recovered before he would release his prize asset.
Having warned Rooney not to rush his recovery bid, photographs of the former Everton star kicking a ball in training on Friday and Monday would no doubt have caused Ferguson some consternation.
However, the speed with which Rooney departed for Germany suggests the Scot is happy with the decision which has eventually been made.
In stark contrast to Ferguson, Eriksson has never hid his belief that Rooney would play some part in the competition, even though it was not thought the forward would be available until the first knockout round on June 24 or 25.
Eriksson said: “I am confident he will take part in the World Cup and he is 300% confident that he will play.
“I have been saying for one month that I am sure he will take part.
“But I look forward to the point when we don’t discuss scans and Rooney’s foot anymore.”
