Hodgson: Rooney fit for England

12 August 2013 16:16

England manager Roy Hodgson insists striker Wayne Rooney no longer has a 'physical injury' ahead of Wednesday night's international friendly against Scotland.

The Manchester United striker missed Sunday's Community Shield win over Wigan with what the Barclays Premier League champions described as a shoulder injury, but he was training from 10am at St George's Park on Monday.

Asked how Rooney was, Hodgson told a press conference televised by Sky Sports News: "Good, just as I expected really. It's difficult to assess with the naked eye how match-fit people are, but there's no doubt in my mind that he's not suffering from a physical injury.

"It will be interesting to get the feedback from our training sessions and we can see how he looks. We'll speak with Wayne tomorrow morning."

Hodgson added: "Since he's got over the injuries he's not been able to train as intensively as we did today, so we'll see how that pans out.

"He tells me that he's been training on his own while Manchester United have had games, on some fitness work, but he hasn't had a chance to do a session like we had today where he was involved in functional aspects of play.

"I expect him to tell me that everything was fine and I expect him to get up fit and ready to go tomorrow morning as well."

Hodgson is also eager for the 27-year-old to resolve his current situation with United, but believes Rooney is too good a player to ignore even if, for whatever reason, he is not a regular at club level.

The Red Devils have rejected two bids from Chelsea, and the player's future remains the subject of speculation.

"It would be very nice if (his future is clarified) both for him and his club, and of course my hope and desire is that will happen," Hodgson added.

Source: PA