View Full Version : Rooney gets World Cup green light
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Wayne Rooney has been included in Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad, BBC Sport understands.
Rooney appears to have won the race to prove his fitness after breaking a metatarsal in his right foot while playing for Manchester United in April.
He has left on a flight back to Germany - which is due to land at Karlsruhe near Baden-Baden at about 2200 BST.
He had earlier spent two hours at a Manchester clinic while doctors studied the results of Wednesday's scan.
Football Association sources told the BBC unofficially Rooney is in Eriksson's final England squad for the tournament.
FA executive director David Davies had a broad grin on his face as he left hospital with Rooney before they drove to Manchester Airport.
An official announcement has yet to be made by either the FA or United - who announced on their website at 1945 BST that a "decisive" scan result "will be announced this evening".
But it does appear that Rooney has been given the green light by the group that spent two hours locked in the clinic at Whalley Range.
That group included United doctor Tony Gill and physio Rob Swire, England team doctor Leif Sward and other specialists.
It is also thought that an independent consultant from Fifa was on hand should there have been any conflict between Rooney's club and the FA - and it was reported that United lawyers were in attendance.
If Rooney is in the squad it will send the unfortunate Jermain Defoe of Tottenham, who had been on standby, back to England.
Media reports suggest Wayne Rooney has boarded a flight back to Germany this evening, following his scan at a private hospital in Whalley Range, Manchester.
ManUtd.com is still awaiting official confirmation of this - and a statement regarding the outcome of the scan.
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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 whole of England had been holding its breath for the outcome of Wednesday's decisive scan, which took place in a Manchester hospital at lunchtime. England doctor Leif Sward studied the results together with Manchester United doctor Tony Gill and the specialists at the hospital before the final decision was made.
Rooney boarded a return flight to England’s base in Baden-Baden on Wednesday evening, after leaving the hospital together with Football Association Executive Director David Davies. Both men were full of smiles, which gave the first indication that the Manchester United player would be fit for the tournament.
Rooney's involvement in Germany had been in doubt ever since he suffered a fracture at the base of the fourth metatarsal in his right foot in a Premiership match at Chelsea on 29 April. However, as with David Beckham four years ago, Rooney has recovered in time to participate in what will be his first FIFA World Cup™.
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Wayne Rooney's return to rejoin England's World Cup squad in Germany is the perfect lift before the serious business begins against Paraguay on Saturday.
Indeed, the news was greeted with the sort of euphoria that suggested Rooney was actually bringing the trophy back on the plane to Baden-Baden with him.
Rooney's inclusion in the World Cup squad is a massive break for coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, but is still only another step on a difficult road to recovery for the country's greatest talent.
Now a new debate will start.
Rooney is fit but is he match fit? When will be ready to take part in England's World Cup campaign? Is there a risk of bringing him back too soon, so prodigious is his talent?
But to be around this England squad is to witness the importance they place on the mercurial talents of Manchester United's 20-year-old.
It is a remarkable tribute to his ability that his very presence, in whatever capacity, lifts spirits.
Chelsea pair John Terry and Frank Lampard have won back-to-back Premiership titles, honours Rooney can only dream about in his fledgling career.
And yet there is total respect and admiration in their voices when they discuss Rooney, and this is reflected by the rest of the squad.
They know Rooney represents that flash of star quality that can win games, the stroke of genius that can win World Cups.
For Eriksson, however, the tough decisions now begin because he must judge the timing of Rooney's return to perfection, otherwise the feel-good factor engendered by the positive results from his scan will be wasted.
If England start their campaign well, Eriksson can afford to bide his time and keep his powder dry until Rooney is well down the road with his rehabilitation.
If results are poor, the temptation to play his trump card, even a high-risk one, may prove too tempting to resist.
This is the delicate balancing act Eriksson must now perform - and one upon which England's World Cup hopes may rest.
Rooney himself must also fight his almost irresistible urge to play football before he is ready, no matter what his physical condition.
He is important to England, but not so important that their genuine chances of World Cup triumph can be sacrificed for his desire to play a part.
These are the crucial calls Eriksson and his backroom staff, in tandem with Rooney, must make in the days ahead.
Get it right and England can cement their status as serious World Cup contenders. Get it wrong and the inquests will be long and hard.
For now, though, if England were searching for a morale-boost to lift an already buoyant squad, the return of Rooney to their World Cup hideaway fits the bill perfectly.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said striker Wayne Rooney is "injury free".
The Swede said the 20-year-old - who flew to Manchester on Wednesday for a scan on his broken foot - would be able to play as soon as he was match fit.
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Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard both kicked off training as England's preparations ahead of their World Cup opener against Paraguay gathered pace.
A back strain kept Gerrard out of the session on Wednesday, while Rooney was expected to train with the physio again as his rehabilitation continues.
However, both took a full part in the opening warm-up exercises on Thursday.
Stand-by striker Jermain Defoe also took part, but he may have to return home when the squad is confirmed.
Further encouragement was evident when Rooney, during the ball work section of training, put in a heavy challenge on defender John Terry.
Our man in Baden-Baden, chief football writer Phil McNulty, reports:
"There's no doubt, Rooney's return has caused a swell of excitement here.
"Typically, he was first off the team bus, alongside Gerrard and Peter Crouch, and he looked relaxed as he took part in the light warm-up.
"Even more encouraging was that he then, for the first time, joined his team-mates in some ball work and light physical contact - his challenge on Terry brought a few smiles.
"All in all it has to be encouraging. Of course, it is too early to tell how far along he is, or isn't, but he looked in good shape, fit and definitely raring to go."
For a second day, only the first 15 minutes of the session were open to cameras and the media, but the players looked relaxed on another fine day.
The session was England's last in Baden-Baden before Saturday's 1400 BST game at the Waldstadion, with the squad due to travel to Frankfurt on Friday.
There they will have one last practice at the stadium in the afternoon, before the finals kick off in earnest for them against Anibal Ruiz's side.
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