Rooney allays injury fears

25 May 2010 15:29
Wayne Rooney has declared himself fully fit and fresh and is saving his goals for the World Cup after a mini drought with England.[LNB] Rooney has managed only one goal for his country in the past year in a sequence spanning seven internationals since his brace against Andorra last June.[LNB]But his importance to England's chance of glory in South Africa cannot be underlined enough.[LNB]And Rooney has played down fears he was suffering from an ankle problem after being hampered by a groin injury during the latter part of the campaign.[LNB]He is also hoping he will reap the benefits of having a less intense end to the campaign because of his injury concerns than some of his England team-mates.[LNB]Rooney said: "Fitness-wise I feel good.[LNB]I have trained every training session with England since we got together.[LNB]"I had a bit of a stiff neck after the game (with Mexico) but that should pass in the next day or two.[LNB]"I haven't got an ankle problem. Like I said, I've trained every training session. I don't know where that (story) has come from. It's a load of rubbish."[LNB]Rooney added: "Do players feel jaded after a long season? Of course, it's a long season for everyone. I'm quite fortunate in I haven't trained a lot in the last six weeks.[LNB]"I have had a full week's training at the England training camp in Austria and I felt good out there.[LNB]"It can sometimes be a bonus having a break during the season. Fingers crossed it will be."[LNB]Rooney admits he has had to curb his natural tendency to go flat out and be ultra competitive in training sessions to avoid the risk of injuries.[LNB]He said: "You have got to try not to injure yourself, or your team-mates, so you have to hold back sometimes in tackles in training to make sure you're all okay for the World Cup."[LNB]Regarding his recent lack of goals for his country, Rooney said: "Of course I'd like to score, but that's the way it is.[LNB]"I'm glad it's in a friendly and not in the World Cup that it didn't happen (against Mexico). Hopefully I'm saving them up for the World Cup."[LNB]Rooney admits he is itching for the World Cup to get under way with England to face the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.[LNB]But the Manchester United star also recognises the importance of the build-up programme.[LNB]He said: "You'd like to be out there in South Africa preparing for the first game, but this is also an important time.[LNB]"We are trying to make sure we get it right and are ready for South Africa."

Source: Team_Talk