Rooney prepares for England return

17 June 2012 11:17

Wayne Rooney's re-integration into the England team began in earnest on Sunday as the European Championship squad resumed training ahead of Tuesday's crunch clash with Ukraine.

Rooney arrived at their Hutnik Stadium base on the outskirts of Krakow, along with his 22 other team-mates, with the big question being who would partner the country's talisman in their final Group D game in Donetsk.

Danny Welbeck appeared favourite to get the nod to play alongside his Manchester United team-mate, whose recall to the side after a two-game ban was never really in doubt, despite England taking four points from their matches against France and Sweden at Euro 2012.

That would almost certainly mean Andy Carroll, a scorer in the latter game on Friday, making way against co-hosts Ukraine.

Although, with England training behind closed doors, it was going to be difficult to glean manager Roy Hodgson's exact thoughts.

Hodgson gave his players a day off on Saturday and he may decide - as he did two days after the France game - to wrap some of those who played on Friday in cotton wool again.

Chelsea star Ashley Cole usually does not train fully two days after a match for club and country and he could be joined by others in undertaking gym and pool work.

Indeed, it was not long before Cole emerged from the stadium entrance with a towel around his shoulders.

That was after Scott Parker walked out - and back in - while training was ongoing, hinting he may not have played a full part.

Source: PA