Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Better news for Rooney

11 Sep 2007 - 08:59:34

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Reports suggest that Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney could return to action ahead of schedule and may even be on the substitute's bench for this weekend's Premier League clash with Everton.

Rooney suffered a broken foot in United's goalless draw with Reading on August 12 and the initial diagnosis suggested he would be sidelined for at least six weeks.

However, a new X-ray has shown that the healing process is ahead of schedule, and the 21-year-old is close to a return to full training.

If Rooney is unable to be a substitute for the game against his former club this weekend, he could feature in next week's Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon or the crunch Premier League encounter against Chelsea at Old Trafford on September 23.

The news comes as a major boost to England boss Steve McClaren as Rooney now looks certain to be back to full fitness in time for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia at Wembley on October 13, followed by the trip to Russia four days later.

Meanwhile, United keeper Ben Foster is now expected to be available for first-team selection in January.

It was initially though that a serious knee ligament problem would keep the shot-stopper sidelined until March.