Rooney and Eriksson to decide Cup debut
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-09 09:21
"I don't want my players talking about Wayne Rooney's foot or injury. I hope
you respect that."
Eriksson, in terse mood and clearly fed up with the media circus that has
surrounded Rooney's injury for the past six weeks, then stood up and left the
news conference.
Despite Eriksson's request, England's players could not conceal their delight
at Rooney's return and the prospect of him playing at the finals.
Captain David Beckham told a news conference: "It's nice that all the squad
now are fit and back in training... we're all happy he's back training with us."
Beckham, who suffered a broken metatarsal like Rooney's before the 2002 World
Cup, was asked about coming back from such an injury to match fitness.
"There are always difficulties, because when you haven't played for a while
and you've had an injury like a broken bone it is tough.
"I know you're talking about Wayne, but he's done fitness tests the same as
the lads have done and his fitness levels are up there with the rest of us.
"He'll play when he feels like he's ready and that will obviously be down to
the management."
ROONEY BUZZING
Midfielder Steven Gerrard, Rooney's friend and a fellow Liverpudlian, was
more forthright.
"What I can say is he's really buzzing over getting the all-clear and so is
the rest of the squad.
"It's great news for him to get the all-clear -- now we need to get him match
fit as the manager said.
"I think we need to be patient with that because you can't really throw a
player into a World Cup game who is not really match fit."
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