Rooney still hoping to play for England in World Cup

May 3, 2006, 0:17 GMT

London - Wayne Rooney has spoken for the first time of his devastation at breaking a bone in his foot but says he is still hopeful that he will be able to play a part for England in this summer's World Cup.

The Manchester United striker broke a metatarsal in his right foot Saturday in a challenge with Chelsea's Paulo Ferreira and faces up to six weeks of recovery.

With England's first match of the finals scheduled for June 10 against Paraguay, time is against Rooney, but the United striker said he would be doing everything he can to be fit to at least play in part of the tournament.

'Obviouslym I'm devastated to break my foot,' Rooney told MUTV. 'At this moment in time it's horrible, really, but you have got to get on with it, be positive and try to get myself fit as soon as possible.

'I think, first of all, I've got to come in every day. I know that with the physio team behind me at Manchester United, they'll be giving me the best possible chance. I'd like to thank everyone who's given me messages and supported me. But it's now important that I have some privacy and the press leave me alone as I try to get myself fit.'

Rooney's injury has eerie echoes to that of England captain David Beckham, who broke a metatarsal in his foot before the 2002 finals in Japan and Korea.

Beckham played in the competition but later admitted he had not been fully fit, and Rooney's United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said it was arguably too much to ask for his star striker to be at his best.

'We want Wayne at the World Cup as much as anyone, because it would be a great credit to us if he performs properly on the world stage, which I am sure he would,' Ferguson said.

'But can you ask a player, no matter what standard, to play in the quarter-final of a World Cup after only two weeks' training? It is impossible. There are people now who think Wayne is a certainty to play in the World Cup. I think he is far from that.'

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson is due to name his provisional squad on Monday, with the final squad to be named on May 15.

Football's world governing body FIFA said Tuesday that England, or any team, could replace any player until June 9, providing a medical certificate can be produced.