England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
• Capacity:90,000

Sven planning to pick Rooney

01 May 2006 - 09:55:49

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England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson intends to name Wayne Rooney in his World Cup finals squad if there is any chance he will be fit to play in the knockout stages of the tournament.

The Manchester United striker fractured a metatarsal in his right foot during Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Chelsea and has been told he will be out of action for six weeks.

The prognosis effectively rules the 20-year-old out of England's group games against Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago and Sweden, but the knockout matches do not begin until June 24 and he could be available should England progress.

Eriksson had earlier indicated he would not take any players who are less than 100 per cent fit to Germany, but with Rooney so important to the team's hopes of lifting the trophy it appears he is willing to make an exception.

"If he is going to be fit or not, I don't know and nobody will know at the moment," the Swede told Sky Sports News.

"It is too early to know if he is going to have a chance to be fit or not, but if we think he has a chance then I will pick him.

"It is a hope and it is a hope for all England fans. We are talking about Wayne Rooney, he is one of the best players in the world and he is extremely important for us, so if we think he has a chance to get fit during the World Cup then of course we will pick him.

"I think we have to look at it closer to the World Cup. For anyone to say today it will take six weeks, it will take eight weeks, it is difficult for anyone to say that.

"I hope the World Cup is not over for Wayne Rooney. I hope so for him, for the team, for the fans because he is extremely important for us.

"But if the medical team tell me he has no chance then I will not pick him. If he can take part later in the World Cup then he will be picked."