BUEHLERTAL, Germany -- Wayne Rooney practiced with England on Thursday, hours
after being cleared by doctors to play in the World Cup following his recovery
from a broken right foot.
Rooney broke his foot in
April.[AP] |
"The good news from yesterday evening and today is Rooney has no more injury,
he is injury-free," coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said after practice, reading from
a prepared statement. "Now it's up to us to get him match fit."
The morning after returning to Germany on a late-night flight from England,
Rooney casually kicked a ball with David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville
before taking part in light running, stretching and ball drills. Shortly before
the 15-minute portion of the practice session that was open to the media
finished, Rooney joined a drill where players stood in a circle, trying to avoid
passing the ball to a player in the middle.
Rooney had been kept out of such drills during England training sessions
earlier this week.
Even though the 20-year-old Rooney is back on the England squad, he is
unlikely to play until after the group games.
Rooney's Premier League club, Manchester United, said that "the expert
independent medical view is that Wayne has a good chance of being fit after the
group stage."
"At that point ... 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," the club said in a statement
on its Web site.
Eriksson did not give a time frame for Rooney's return, saying a decision on
when the player was ready to return to action would be "Rooney's and mine."
"I'm prepared to listen to everyone and discuss with them about Wayne Rooney
but the last say in this tournament is Rooney and mine," he said. "I do this in
the best interest (of) Rooney, the England team and 40 million England fans. I'm
responsible for it and I don't want any more discussions about Rooney until I
tell you I think he's match fit."
Beckham was glad to see the striker back.
