England fans are braced for the outcome of a scan that will determine whether striker Wayne Rooney can play at the World Cup finals in Germany.

England's Wayne Rooney throws a ball during training at their World Cup training camp at the Mittelbergstadion near Baden-Baden in Germany, June 6, 2006.[Reuters]

Rooney, 20, will return from England's base near Baden-Baden on Wednesday for a scan on his fractured metatarsal.

The scan is scheduled to take place in Manchester early in the afternoon.

If doctors from Manchester United and England are happy with the result then Rooney will return to Germany to continue his rehabilitation.

England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson remains confident Rooney will be involved in the World Cup after the striker stepped up his training ahead of the scan.

"I think he looks very good - but let the surgeons and the specialists have their say," said Eriksson.

"Very soon we will know what is going to happen about him but I have always said I think he will be ready."

The Manchester United player spent Tuesday's training session in Buhlertal, near the squad's base, with one of the England physios going through some sprinting skills and some limited ball work.

Rooney will board a private jet from Germany to Manchester with England doctor Leif Sward and head for the Whalley Range private hospital.

The scan on his metatarsal, which he broke five-and-half weeks ago playing for Manchester United against Chelsea, is due to take place in the early afternoon.

United doctor Tony Gill will discuss the results with Sward and specialists at the hospital.

Eriksson will then be informed by phone how the recovery is progressing and must decide whether Rooney should fly back to Germany and re-join the squad.

If not, his place is expected to be taken by Jermain Defoe of Tottenham, but it is possible that an announcement may not be made until early on Thursday.