Philosophical Rooney concentrating on recovery from injury

May 4, 2006, 14:25 GMT

London - Wayne Rooney has admitted that he would be hugely disappointed to miss this summer's World Cup but said it would not be the end of the world if he did not make it to Germany.

The Manchester United striker faces a race against time to be fit in time to play a part for England after breaking a bone in his foot against Chelsea last weekend.

'Any player wants to play in the World Cup, but if it's not to be I'll have more tournaments,' Rooney said.

'I'm obviously disappointed to get injured when I did but life goes on and hopefully I can get fit.'

'I'm disappointed and everyone is disappointed for me, but I'm a strong lad and I've got support from everybody.

'There's been a lot of stuff all over the TV and in the papers but you've got to blank that out. It's nice that people care about you but you've got to concentrate on doing your work and getting yourself right.'

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that Rooney had actually broken his metatarsal in two places, but that the second break would not add to his recovery time.

'The break he's got in the fourth metatarsal is a small fracture,' Ferguson said. 'The one above it is nothing to worry about at all, it doesn't affect the recovery. It's just a small hairline fracture.'

Ferguson said Rooney would also be using an oxygen chamber in an effort to speed up his recovery while England manager Sven Goran Eriksson looks certain to name in his provisional squad on May 8, and his final 23 on May 15.

Eriksson said he may take Rooney even if there was a chance he would only be fit for the World Cup final, on July 9.

'Why would I do that? To win the final,' Eriksson said.

'We are talking about Wayne Rooney, you do not want to rule him out until it is 100 percent sure.'

'It is just a matter of whether he can play football or not. I don't know if it is going to be possible to have him in the World Cup or not. I hope so and I will believe so because I am optimistic by nature.

'I am not depressed. It is a pity Wayne Rooney got injured but we have a lot of good players and we will have a good World Cup. You have to move on. Life is not finished just because of that.'

'Wayne probably will be picked in the squad but he will stay in Manchester to do recovery and he will stay there until all the doctors involved think he is football-fit.'

'Whether that is before during or after the World Cup, I don't know.

'I think every England fan will agree with me when I say I don't want to rule out Wayne.

'I don't want to hear the words 'definitely out'. I want to wait as late as possible.

'If we think he can make part of the World Cup he will be in. Why shouldn't he?'