Injured Rooney 'needs a miracle' to make World Cup

May 3, 2006, 16:34 GMT

London - Striker Wayne Rooney needs 'a miracle' to make the football World Cup because he has broken more bones in his foot than originally believed, England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said Wednesday.

Eriksson said that he will not drop Rooney until doctors tell him he can't play at all at the June 9-July 9 finals in Germany.

But The Sun daily reported that England coaches were working on a plan B scenario without Rooney, and attack partner Michael Owen was also not in fully certain of playing.

Rooney, 20, suffered the injury during Manchester United's first-division game at Chelsea last Saturday, with the initial diagnosis one fractured metartarsal.

The larger extent of the injury in his right foot was revealed at a second scan Tuesday.

'I knew yesterday that he had more than one fracture. Miracles happen in life now and then, but I don't really know,' Eriksson said.

Eriksson told reporters that he will know more on the issue when England and Manchester United doctors meet on Thursday to discuss Rooney's chances of making the finals.

Eriksson reiterated that he plans to nominate Rooney into his preliminary squad on May 8 and would only drop him if doctors fully ruled out his participation in Germany.

'I will not rule him out until the doctors tell me there is no chance,' he said.

England's first match is on June 10 against Paraguay. The other group B opponents are Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago in the following 10 days, with possible further matches in the knockout stages.

Rooney said in a television interview broadcast Tuesday that he will do his best to get fit again in time for the World Cup.