Doctor hopeful of Rooney fitness
England team doctor Leif Sward believes Wayne Rooney will know before the World Cup starts just how significant a part he can play.
Sward is now confident Rooney will be selected by Sven-Goran Eriksson in England’s 23-man party for Germany, despite the lingering fears his broken foot will force him to miss the finals.
Manchester United remain optimistic that Rooney’s return to full training will coincide with the start of England’s opening World Cup game against Paraguay on June 10, but he must then build up his fitness which could take a fortnight.
Sward feels Rooney will have a clearer picture by early June.
“In four weeks we will know exactly how this injury will heal,” said Sward in The Sun.
The 20-year-old United striker suffered more than one fracture to a metatarsal bone in his right foot during last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Chelsea.
Sward added: “I told Sven there is a chance for Wayne to be a part of the World Cup. How big that is I cannot say, but there is absolutely a chance.
“Of course Sven will now make him part of the squad.”
