Rooney passed fit for England tie

[BGonaSTICK]

Wayne Rooney has been passed fit to play for England against Trinidad and Tobago by independent medical advisers.
Professors Angus Wallace and Chris Moran of the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham flew to Germany on Wednesday to examine the 20-year-old.

The Manchester United striker has not played since breaking a metatarsal against Chelsea on 29 April.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said on Wednesday that Rooney was match fit for Thursday's crucial Group B game.

In a joint statement, professors Wallace and Moran said: "Wayne's recovery has been more rapid than expected over the past week.

"This is due to the excellent care he has received since suffering the injury to his foot and because Wayne has worked so hard at his recovery.

"Due to this, we were invited back earlier than anticipated to reassess Wayne by Dr Leif Sward, the England team doctor.

"We are independent experts and would like to make clear that the findings of our evaluation and decision have been made without any pressure from the Football Association.

"We have Wayne's best interests at heart, as our sole concern is Wayne's well-being - now and in the future."

Professors Wallace and Moran examined Rooney on Thursday and studied footage of him in full contact training over the past two days and held discussions with the England medical staff.

Their statement continued: "Wayne's fitness levels are better now than before Euro 2004.

"It is clear he has received excellent care and rehabilitation from the Manchester United medical team. This has continued with the England team's medical staff and it is obvious the two have worked very well together."

The duo said they had carried out a full risk assessment related to returning him to play at this stage.

"That assessment has indicated that he is at no more risk than any other player who has recovered from an injury and is returning to competitive sport," said the statement.

"It is our professional medical opinion that Wayne Rooney is now available to play in the World Cup."

In a statement, Rooney's club Manchester United said they had been assured that the decision to pass the striker fit was made with the player's welfare as a "key consideration".

The statement added: "We wish Wayne and the England squad the very best in what we hope will be a successful bid to win the World Cup."

At a news conference on Wednesday, Eriksson said Rooney was "match fit" but added that he had yet to decide whether to play the star striker.

"For me, Rooney is match fit but let me sleep on it. I will decide Thursday morning," he stated.

"Almost for sure he is not starting the match, I don't think he has 90 minutes in him yet."

Rooney has been playing a full part in England's training sessions in Germany and has looked in good form.

Source: BBC

[Analoguesat]

A good result, although England were awful in the first half..

[BGonaSTICK]

Yeah, I was far unhappier with that game than the first game.

Lampard and Gerrard were rubbish until Gerrard's goal (which was sweet). They need a holding player behind them to give them the freedom they need, and therefore, I believe, they can't both play in the same team unless FIFA allow us 12 players.

Beckham's set pieces generally sucked. Shocking corners

Ashley Cole, JT, Ferdinand and Lennon were the only players to emerge with any real credit.

Having said all that, I'm not one of the moaning barstewards that likes to slag England off after every win, but I get very angry when players don't give 100% effort, and that's what it looked like to me.

I don't care if they play crap, as long as they burst a lung doing it. Today, they were out for a stroll >