08/06/2006

Rooney 'fit' for World Cup knock-out stages

England striker Wayne Rooney has rejoined the England squad in Germany following a scan on his broken foot in Manchester on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old Manchester United star returned to Manchester for a scan on his broken metatarsal, which was fractured in a Premiership match against Chelsea in April.

He is expected to miss England's first three World Cup group games, but he is expected to be fit for the knock-out stages, if England qualify.

A statement released by his club said: "Manchester United can confirm that Wayne Rooney has rejoined the England squad in Germany following his scan in Manchester.

"He is now in the care of the England medical team. The expert independent medical view is that Wayne has a good chance of being fit after the group stage.

"At that point, the expert independent medical view is that his participation in the tournament will require very careful assessment in order to address his suitability, as he will not have had the opportunity to play in less demanding games."

Rooney is now expected to be named in Sven-Goran Eriksson's final squad, which has to be confirmed by 2pm tomorrow, 24 hours ahead of England's opening game against Paraguay in Frankfurt on Friday.

Speaking on Thursday, Eriksson said that Rooney was now "injury-free". He said: "The good news from yesterday and today is that Rooney has no more injury. He is injury-free. It is now up to us to get him match-fit and when we think he is match-fit I am prepared to take him to any specialist we or Manchester United want to take him to."

(KMcA)

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