BADEN BADEN, Germany, June 11 - England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said
striker Wayne Rooney could be fit to return ahead of schedule against Trinidad
& Tobago in World Cup Group B on Thursday.
Rooney, who team mate Rio Ferdinand said was desperate to come on as a
substitute in Saturday's 1-0 win over Paraguay, has been recovering from a
broken foot sustained on April 29.
Asked whether the 20-year-old striker had a chance of playing some part on
Thursday, Eriksson told reporters: "I'm very optimistic, always. I'm born like
that."
It would be Rooney's World Cup debut.
Such a move would not be popular with Manchester United, who have made it
clear they do not want a player who cost them nearly 30 million pounds ($55.30
million) appearing before the second round on June 24 or 25.
After a scan last Wednesday, United said the "expert independent medical
view" was that Rooney had a good chance of being fit after the group phase --
and even then would "require very careful assessment".
Eriksson subsequently brushed United's statement aside, saying he and Rooney
alone would decide when the hugely gifted striker was fit to play for his
country.
Despite his optimism after watching Rooney in training over the past week,
Eriksson remained coy about just close he was to the match fitness needed.
"We have to decide that day by day, to be honest," said the Swede, who was
determined his decision would not be swayed by the views of England's vocal
fans.
As their team wilted in the second half heat of Frankfurt's Waldstadion on
Saturday, the stadium echoed to the chants of "Rooney Rooney."
Asked how it felt to hear thousands of England supporters clamouring for
their missing idol, Eriksson said: "It can't have an effect on me.
"I have my coaches, my fitness coach and my physios and we have to decide
together -- 'okay, it's time'."
