Fabio can decide on Rooney - Fergie

01 October 2010 15:30

Sir Alex Ferguson is happy to let Fabio Capello decide whether Wayne Rooney is fit enough to report for England duty next week.

Although the Manchester United boss declared on Tuesday that Rooney could be out for three weeks with the ankle injury he aggravated at Bolton last weekend, Ferguson has now revealed his star striker returned to training on Thursday.

"It is really up to Fabio," Ferguson told Key 103.

As usual, Rooney is pestering his manager to play in United's Premier League clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Ferguson has no intention of agreeing in an attempt to save the 24-year-old from himself and ensure he starts to do himself justice again.

But with England not due in action until their October Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro at Wembley, Ferguson is willing to hand Rooney over to Capello and trust the Italian's judgement.

"You are talking about an extra 10 days. By that time, we would hope he will definitely be 100%. Wayne wants to play but now we have identified the injury, we have to be dead sure we are doing the right thing for him because he has not been doing himself the proper justice."

Not that Ferguson is condemning Rooney for his desperation to get involved. Having scored just once this season - from the penalty spot - and been substituted after an hour at Bolton, many players would be happy to take a break from the limelight.

Rooney has never taken that attitude. But Ferguson feels the game has changed from the one where players could go into matches some way below their best.

"The problem with the lad is that he is too willing to play with injuries," said Ferguson. "It is a great trait to have in any footballer. I have had many players over the years who might have had injuries but weren't prepared to miss a game because of them.

"But with the speed and number of games you have these days, fitness levels are really important."

Source: PA