England awaits Rooney results
England striker Wayne Rooney is returning home for a crucial hospital scan on his injured foot.
The scan of Rooney’s metatarsal bone has been the subject of intense interest among England fans and the British media as they await news of whether he will be cleared to play in the World Cup.
The Manchester United player is flying aboard an executive jet from England’s base near Baden Baden, Germany, to Manchester where he will undergo scans later on Wednesday on his injured foot.
Following the scans, Leif Sward, the England doctor, will discuss the results with a doctor appointed by Manchester United as well as other medical specialists to determine whether the 20 year old should return to Germany.
FIFA have also appointed an independent specialist should a deadlock need to be broken.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, has been vocal in his calls for the youngster not to play if he is in any danger of long term injury.
But Sven Goran Erikkson, the England manager, remains confident he will have his star player at his disposal.
“I think he looks very good,” Eriksson told a news conference in Germany.
“It’s totally up to the surgeons, the specialists, the doctors and physios. I can’t judge it,” he said.
“But I’ve always said I think he will be available, that he will take part in the World Cup. And I still believe it very, very strongly,” he said.
Should Rooney be ruled out of play he will be replaced in the England line-up by Tottenham’s Jermaine Defoe.