England news thread

[Lucky*7*]

Terry all-clear for World Cup bid 
 

England defender John Terry has been given the all-clear for the World Cup after receiving positive results from a scan on his injured ankle.
The 25-year-old needed three stitches in a cut just above his ankle picked up during the win over Manchester United.

Terry twisted the same ankle later in the game but a scan to check for deep bruising to the bone has proved clear and he can now start running again.

"He should be fine," said Chelsea club doctor Bryan English.

Terry joined the celebrations after Saturday's 3-0 victory over United sealed the Premiership title but left Stamford Bridge on crutches.

Manager Jose Mourinho told Terry after the weekend that he would sit out the final two games of the Premiership campaign.


Terry's news will be a welcome boost for England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, who is facing up to the probability that striker Wayne Rooney will miss the World Cup in Germany after breaking a metatarsal bone in his foot during the same match.

 

[Lucky*7*]

DOCTOR HOPEFUL OF ROONEY FITNESS


England team doctor Leif Sward believes Wayne Rooney will know before the World Cup starts just how significant a part he can play.

Sward is now confident Rooney will be selected by Sven-Goran Eriksson in England's 23-man party for Germany, despite the lingering fears his broken foot will force him to miss the finals.

Manchester United remain optimistic that Rooney's return to full training will coincide with the start of England's opening World Cup game against Paraguay on June 10, but he must then build up his fitness which could take a fortnight.

Sward feels Rooney will have a clearer picture by early June.

"In four weeks we will know exactly how this injury will heal," said Sward in The Sun.

The 20-year-old United striker suffered more than one fracture to a metatarsal bone in his right foot during last Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Chelsea.

Sward added: "I told Sven there is a chance for Wayne to be a part of the World Cup. How big that is I cannot say, but there is absolutely a chance.

"Of course Sven will now make him part of the squad."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has outlined a recovery programme for Rooney that will include the use of an oxygen chamber and says the striker will only join England's World Cup quest if he is fit enough to do himself justice.

Ferguson said: "If he goes, he needs to be fit because otherwise he may not do himself justice, which would be an even bigger disappointment for England fans.

"You can't put a deadline on it because the scans will tell us everything.

"In a few weeks' time we will send him back for a scan.

"If the injury has healed we have got the progress we want. If it has not healed there is nothing you can do about it.

"We just have to carry on with the treatment because we are really in the hands of how Wayne improves and we are not going to do anything that will jeopardise the boy."

Earlier this week Ferguson suggested Rooney had little chance of making the World Cup and cautioned against rising expectation.

Even now the Scot remains dubious about Rooney being available for anything other than United's pre-season campaign, citing the recovery time for a large number of similar injuries the Old Trafford medical staff has had to deal with as evidence for his theory.

"Gary Neville ended up needing pins inserting because he had not recovered properly," said Ferguson.

"It took Roy Keane 10 weeks from breaking his metatarsal to being fit enough to play again, while Wayne was out for 14 weeks after doing his for the first time at the European Championship.

"The only one who came back quicker was David Beckham, but he made the mistake of joining up with England in Dubai before the World Cup when he would have been much better staying here.

"In the end, I don't think he was fit enough to go."

United doctor Mike Stone will continue to plot Rooney's progress, although Ferguson has confirmed Eriksson will receive weekly updates and has made it clear if the Swede wants to send his own staff to United's Carrington training complex, they will be welcome at any time.

"There is an open dialogue between ourselves and England," said Ferguson.

"They will get an update every week on how he is doing and if they want to send a physio or a doctor up they are free to do so.

"As I have said all along, we will do our very best to help Wayne get there. It is in our interests, as well as England's to do that."

[Miss*Norway]

I just read that Rooney's injury was worse than first expected, that he'd broken more than one bone and Eriksson said he needed a miracle fro Rooney to recover in time. It was in the paper from thursday, so I don't know if something else has been said since then, has it?

[I_Luv_Ronaldo]

yeah it is i really hope he gets better

[Lucky*7*]

World Cup Scouting - Ashley Cole 
 
By Pete Oliver
BBC Sport at The City of Manchester Stadium 

On 8 May, Sven-Goran Eriksson names the provisional squad of players from which he will pick his England World Cup squad.

Seven days later the list becomes the final 23 that will board the plane to Germany and carry the hopes of a nation.

With time ticking towards Eriksson's decision day, BBC Sport runs the rule over Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole.

The 25-year-old started his first Gunners game for seven months against Manchester City on Thursday. But is he ready to play in a World Cup?

ENGLAND HISTORY
Cole's England career took off when Eriksson was named coach more than five years ago.

The Arsenal defender was included in the Swede's first squad to face Spain in February 2001 and made his international debut a month later in a World Cup qualifying match against Albania.

Since then, Cole has not looked back.

He consolidated his place with a series of fine performances at the 2002 World Cup as he played every game in England's run to the quarter-finals.

Wayne Bridge's rise to prominence began to provide Cole with healthy competition for his place, but the Londoner rarely ever looked likely to lose his place in the starting XI.

In England's Euro 2004 quarter-final defeat to Portugal Cole was truly outstanding, a display that cemented his place in the official Euro 2004 All Stars squad.
 

ASHLEY COLE - THE FORM GUIDE
Fitness rather than form is the key concern surrounding Cole following just a handful of first-team starts for Arsenal this season.

Manager Arsene Wenger picked his first-choice left-back for only the 11th time this term at Manchester City following foot and ankle injuries.

 
Cole has not pulled on an England shirt since September

Against City he eased back into action in front of the watching Eriksson, seemingly playing slightly within himself while still looking the natural athlete.

Understandably a little ring-rusty, Cole did not get as close to Trevor Sinclair as he might have done in the opening stages.

But he was never seriously exposed down City's right flank and tightened up markedly as the game went on to become one of Arsenal's better second-half performers.

Guarding a post from the corner which led to City's equaliser, Cole could not really have been expected to beat scorer David Sommeil to the loose ball.

The Arsenal man tangled with Sommeil again after the break and got the benefit of the doubt from referee Graham Poll when he showed welcome strength to make a telling covering interception.

Sinclair got away once to deliver a cross which might have led to a goal but Cole made amends later with excellent positioning to avert the danger caused by Sun Jihai's lightning break.

Not all of Cole's passes found their target and a couple of ambitious flicks did not come off. But he did not look short of confidence in possession, even if keeping his forward forays strictly limited.



WHAT THE SUPPORTERS THINK
I think even a half fit Ashley Cole is better than any other English left-back. Carragher doesn't play in that position, Bridge lacks the pace Cole has and Konchesky is not world class.
Shalin Dewan, via email


He looked lively and full of energy, I was surprised to see him last the 90 minutes because it's been a long time. I think he'll start the Champions League final now and he's certain to start England's first game, he's too important to them not to.
Nathan, Arsenal fan

Cole looked good. He made an error that lead to the corner for the City goal but that was a simple misunderstanding. He looked keen to get down the left and covered a lot of ground. It looks as if this is one injury worry we can cross off the list.
Paul, via email


I think it is still too early to call him a 'cert' for Germany. Wenger said he was very tired after playing the full 90 minutes so I say we should see how he recovers and see if he starts and plays well on Sunday.
Stuart Thompson, via email


What I saw him doing was just marvellous for someone who has not played the whole season. Otherwise he is still the best left back for Sven. I give him a nod. There is no one who makes runs like him.
Kamiru, via email


WHAT THE GAFFER THINKS
Arsene Wenger believes Cole's injury problems could play into England's hands with the defender on course to peak again for the finals.

While Wenger must ponder whether Cole will be sharp enough for the Champions League final, the Gunners boss felt Thursday's return gave him the perfect platform to push on for full fitness.

"It was his first game so of course you can't be at the top of your game, but he did last 90 minutes," said Wenger.

"He finished, of course, very tired but he had no injury in the 90 minutes.

"You need three or four games to get back to a very good level, but the positives are that he did not get injured and that he played better and better during the game.

"For England it's just right. We are at the beginning of May and the competition starts on the 10th of June. In five weeks you will have a perfect Ashley Cole."


THE VERDICT
Jamie Carragher and Wayne Bridge are adequate stand-ins but England's back-four will always be better with Cole on duty in the left-back berth.

He is a certainty to be named in Eriksson's 23-man squad for the World Cup and given the amount of football available to him between now and the start of the tournament, expect him to line up in England's opener on 10 June.

 COLE'S COMPETITION
Wayne Bridge, Jamie Carragher, Phil Neville, Paul Konchesky

One of just a handful of England players who would command a place in most international teams, Cole is a natural defender.

A good reader of the game, Cole is comfortable in possession, can make a tackle, is solid enough in the air and has the pace to get himself and his team-mates out of trouble if the need arises.

With Joe Cole likely to play in front of him, Cole may temper his attacking instincts.

But the experience gained from 44 caps allows him to gauge most situations and with Wayne Rooney's likely absence placing more emphasis on England's defence, his will be a welcome return.
 

[Lucky*7*]

JUST STAY POSITIVE, BROWN TELLS ROONEY


Wes Brown has urged Wayne Rooney to follow doctors' orders as he looks to overcome his broken foot in time to play in this summer's World Cup.

Rooney will probably not discover until just before the tournament starts whether he will be able to play any part.

England team doctor Leif Sward has confirmed the results of a scan in four weeks' time will be the determining factor in whether Sven-Goran Eriksson includes the brilliant 20-year-old in his 23-man squad.

Like every other England fan, Brown has his fingers crossed that his young Manchester United team-mate will make it.

But after coming through a catalogue of injuries himself, including two cruciate knee ligament operations and a broken ankle, Brown knows Rooney will get the best possible care from United's medical staff.

"Wayne's head will be down, because he knows there is a chance he will miss the World Cup," Brown told MUTV.

"But it is important he remains positive and does what the physios tell him.

"The medical staff at Manchester United know exactly what they are doing and they will take extremely good care of him.

"As long as he doesn't do anything silly, everything will be fine - and he could be back even more quickly than he thinks. You never know, he might still make it to the World Cup."

Brown will find out on Monday whether his own World Cup dream is likely to be realised.

The United defender was part of Eriksson's squad for the 2002 finals in Japan, and Sir Alex Ferguson has already told the departing England coach he should take Brown to this summer's tournament in Germany as well.

Brown's recent form has certainly been impressive and, at a time when a succession of injuries are causing Eriksson huge headaches, he has chosen a good time to reach full fitness.

The indications are the 26-year-old, who won the last of his nine caps against the United States last summer, will be in Eriksson's initial 27-man squad which is due to be announced on Monday.

However, whether Brown retains his place probably depends on how the Swede assesses the form and fitness of Sol Campbell and Ledley King.

"I am hoping to be selected," said Brown.

"I went to the last World Cup, and it would be great to go again.

"But I recognise England have so many top quality defenders it will be hard for the coach to choose.

"I may get picked, I may not - in which case I will just enjoy my holiday.

"But I am fit at the moment. I just have to keep playing well in every game and then cross my fingers."

[Lucky*7*]

ROONEY TOLD NOT TO THINK OF ENGLAND

Edwin van der Sar does not believe Wayne Rooney should make this summer's World Cup his number one priority as he begins his recovery from a broken foot.

An oxygen chamber has been installed at Manchester United's Carrington training complex in a bid to aid the striker's battle for fitness and a scan in four weeks is set to determine whether he makes Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad or not.

As an international captain himself, van der Sar can understand Rooney's desperation to make the finals in Germany.

But the veteran Dutch goalkeeper thinks his young Red Devils team-mate would be better advised focusing on being fit for the start of next season and taking anything else as a bonus.

"The main thing for Wayne is not the World Cup, it is that he recovers fully," said van der Sar.

"As a player, you always hope to play in the big tournaments and in that sense, Wayne is no different from anyone else.

"But at the moment, he just needs to concentrate on getting fit, no matter how long it takes, and take things from there."

Eriksson was given an indication of how much Rooney will be missed by United's struggles in their star man's absence against Middlesbrough last Monday.

Even with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha in attack, the Old Trafford outfit were unable to find a way through the stout Boro defence, meaning victory against Charlton on Sunday is now essential if they are to be certain of finishing runners-up and claiming the second automatic spot in next season's Champions League.

Van der Sar admits the result places United in a position they did not want to be in, although he cautions against blaming the absence of Rooney.

"Of course we miss Wayne, any team would, but that is an easy excuse," he said.

"Don't forget, we drew against Sunderland at home when he was in the side.

"We have a lot of players other than Wayne Rooney who can come in and be capable of doing a job.

"It would have been much better if we had won on Monday but the fact is we didn't. But we are still one point ahead of Liverpool and we know what we have to do to get that second spot."

The need to finish runners-up to Chelsea is not just a financial one.

While the spin-offs do include a bigger share of Champions League cash next season and also leave United free to continue arrangements for a proposed high-profile pre-season friendly with Barcelona, for the United squad a much-shortened summer break would be a more obvious concern.

Although the new Premiership season is not due to start until August 19, the first leg of any Champions League qualifier is pencilled in for August 9, exactly one month after the World Cup final.

"It would not be good to have to play qualifying matches for the Champions League so soon after the World Cup," said Van der Sar.

"That is why finishing second is so important for the club and the players."

Sunday's game marks the end of Van der Sar's first season at Old Trafford and the halfway point in the two-year contract he signed when he moved north from Fulham last summer.

February's Carling Cup triumph over Wigan has at least ensured the 35-year-old has some silverware to look back on, although he accepts improvement in the Premiership and, in particular, the Champions League is required next term.

"If you come to United, you want to win titles and play in the Champions League beyond the group stages," he said.

"You want to get to the quarter-finals and semi-finals of that competition at least.

"After this season's early exit we have to make sure we are still in Europe in March and April next season. That has to be our aim."

[Lucky*7*]

WENGER: COLE TO PEAK AT RIGHT TIME

Arsene Wenger is convinced Ashley Cole will be back to his best just in time for World Cup duty with England.

The Arsenal left-back has not featured for his country since the qualifying defeat against Northern Ireland in September last year after suffering a stress fracture of his foot which was followed by a succession of niggling injuries.

However, the 25-year-old made his first Arsenal appearance since January 14 when he came on as a second-half substitute against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Bank Holiday Monday and followed that up with playing the whole of Thursday night's 3-1 win at Manchester City.

Wenger is set to field Cole again tomorrow on the final day of the Barclays Premiership season against Wigan, which will mark Highbury's last match before the famous old ground is redeveloped ahead of the club's move to Ashburton Grove.

With England centre-half Sol Campbell having also produced consistent displays on his return from surgery on a broken nose, Wenger feels there are plenty of positives in defence for national team boss Sven-Goran Eriksson as he prepares to name his provisional squad on Monday.

The Arsenal manager said: "Ashley needs some more practice, but he has done enough in the first game for having been out so long.

"You could see with Sol on Thursday night after three games there was a big difference."

The Arsenal boss revealed: "I had a brief chat with Sven. I believe he had reassurance for Sol and Ashley as well.

"We are at the beginning of May, and the competition does not start until June. You have five weeks, and in five weeks, you have a different Ashley Cole."

While Wenger has seen his defensive options boosted by the return of his England duo, it seems as if both Mathieu Flamini and Philippe Senderos may struggle to make it back into contention for the Champions League final on May 17.

"At best they can practise again next Saturday and Sunday," commented the Arsenal boss, his stand-in left-back troubled by a hamstring problem and Swiss centre-half Senderos recovering from a knee injury.

Should Tottenham beat West Ham at Upton Park, nothing Arsenal do tomorrow will matter as their north London rivals would then clinch fourth spot.

That would mean the Gunners must beat Barcelona in Paris if they are to return to elite European club football again next season - and at the expense of Martin Jol's men.

Wenger, though, does not believe their circumstances will have an impact on the way Arsenal approach the glamour tie.

He declared: "I feel once you are in the cup final, you forget that.

"You just want to win the trophy and the consequences of it you forget.

"It will be a little bit of a discussion before, but I am not sure that having any more pressure on the game does not help you."

Wenger added: "It can help us as well to say we have no choice, we have to win this trophy and take it home."
 

[Lucky*7*]

Lennon hoping for World Cup call 
 

Aaron Lennon hopes his outstanding form as Tottenham qualified for Europe will make him the surprise selection in England's provisional World Cup squad.
Boss Sven-Goran Eriksson will name a 27-man party on Monday before reducing it to 23 on 15 May.

Midfielder Lennon may be a shock inclusion for this summer's finals.

The 19-year-old said: "I'm not saying he should pick me or that I deserve to go to Germany but if the call comes I would love to be part of the squad."

Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing has also come into the equation with some impressive recent performances.

 Stewart Downing scouting report 

He has helped Boro reach the Uefa Cup final where they play Sevilla and it could come down to a straight decision between Downing and Lennon.

Lennon added: "I heard from my team-mates Mr Eriksson has watched us but I have been concentrating on just doing well for Spurs and not who is watching."

He has been a revelation since moving from Leeds in the summer of 2005 and revealed: "What has happened to me is almost too fantastic to be true. The World Cup? I never imagined I might be part of it.

"I would love to go. What footballer wouldn't? But everything has moved on so quickly for me that it's difficult to take in the possibility.

"I have just been trying to do my best for Spurs and only ever thought I would watch the World Cup on television.

"I feel sorry for Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney if they were to miss out on the biggest tournament. It would be a massive blow to them and the country.

  What has happened to me is almost too fantastic to be true. The World Cup? I never imagined I might be part of it.

Spurs' Aaron Lennon

"My situation hardly compares but earlier this season I made my debut for the England Under 21s against Austria but then a hamstring injury put me out of the European Championship play-off with France.

"I was gutted about that, so goodness knows what Wayne is thinking right now. We all saw his belting performances two years ago in the European Championship before another injury wrecked his - and England's - hopes."

If Lennon does receive the call-up from his country, he is dreaming of making his own impact on the world stage.

He added: "I remember as a kid watching Michael Owen and that stunning solo goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.

"I'm not saying for one minute that I could ever make the same impact but obviously it would be a dream come true to go to Germany - and then maybe come off the bench and help swing a result."
 
I think Lennon really deserves to go ahead of SWP. Hes played fantastically for Spurs and he could be a very positive surprise for England if hes selected. He has so many tricks and his pace is frightening. Hes played the majority of Spurs games whereas SWP has only started 8 Chelsea game. I think its really unfair if he doesnt get selected and SWP does

[Lucky*7*]

Don't rush Rooney, warns Ferguson 

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson fears that striker Wayne Rooney may be pressured into playing at the World Cup when he is not fully fit.
"I don't want any complications with Wayne's broken foot," Ferguson told the News of the World.

"I am not going along with this half-baked idea of him going to Germany 80% fit and finding him being pressured into playing before he is ready."

Rooney, 20, broke a metatarsal bone in his foot on 29 April.

He sustained the injury playing for United at Chelsea.

Rooney is expected to be included in coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's provisional 27-man England World Cup squad that he will name on Monday.

And the Swede has already said that he will include Rooney even if the forward will not be fit until the later stages of the competition.


Ferguson is worried about a repeat of the situation with David Beckham in the 2002 World Cup when the England captain played, despite not being fully fit after breaking a metatarsal.

  What is needed here is a more realistic approach

Sir Alex Ferguson

"That was the experience of David Beckham in the last World Cup and it was a disaster - because he was not fit," added Ferguson.

"I know Wayne is a special player but he would be up against highly-honed opponents and, in those circumstances, you not only need to be physically fit but match fit too.

"Wayne is young and in the environment of the World Cup, it would be easy to persuade him to play, despite not being fully fit.

"What is needed here is a more realistic approach."

The United manager believes that the injury to Rooney will give other players in the national team the opportunity to show how good they are.

"I think there was too much pressure on Wayne's shoulders and now the emphasis changes," said Ferguson.

"Step forward Steven Gerrard, step forward Frank Lampard and step forward Joe Cole.

"These boys have huge experience and are older. These guys have huge experience. David Beckham, in particular."

But Ferguson maintained that United would be doing all they can between now and the World Cup to try to ensure that Rooney is fit enough to play some part in the tournament.

"Let's get it straight right now," insisted Ferguson. "For the sake of the boy and the rest of the England team, we at United will do everything possible to get him fit."
 

[Lucky*7*]

Ferguson points to Beckham

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revived an old conflict by challenging David Beckham to carry the burden of responsibility that Wayne Rooney will be unfit to bear at the World Cup finals.

Rooney has only a slender chance of playing any part, but Ferguson believes England should expect senior players to step into the breach. And, pointedly, he singled out Beckham, who left United in acrimonious circumstances three years ago.

"I think there was too much put on the boy's shoulders and now the emphasis changes," Ferguson said. "Step forward Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and David Beckham, because these guys are experienced and older. David, in particular. He has played in World Cups, he's the captain, he's played in a European Cup final."

Ferguson voiced his dismay at the growing demands on Rooney long before the striker broke his foot. The United manager believes England have exceptional individual and collective resources, even without him.

"You can't say one player is going to decide everything for you," he reasoned. "A young player can lack consistency. Therefore, older players have to step forward and I think England do have the players right through the side."

Despite his recognition of the talent at England's disposal, Ferguson suspects the unforgiving schedules of the club game in this country will undermine the national cause.

"The World Cup is about the preparation and I'm not sure that English football is suited to a World Cup," Ferguson said. "To go through an English season and think you can peak in the summer is very difficult."

Ferguson is confident Rooney will cope with the disappointment of missing this summer's competition. "He could play in four World Cups," Ferguson said. "If it happened to a player in his 30s, they know it's their last chance."

Ferguson, not unreasonably, is primarily concerned with Rooney's influence on United's future. They meet Charlton at Old Trafford today seeking to secure second place ahead of Liverpool in the Premiership.

If United are to get off to the flying start they need to challenge Chelsea next season, they must have their best players available, and Rooney is their very best. Ferguson acknowledged: "We've seen him develop over the year. And he's still 20 years of age."

[part time angel]

NIKE experts are working on a reinforced boot which will help England striker Wayne Rooney play at the World Cup.

The Manchester United star is a huge doubt for Germany after breaking the fourth metatarsal in his right foot.

But the American sportswear giant are designing a specially reinforced boot with extra padding and leather panels which will provide an armour for the damaged area. A Nike spokesperson confirmed: "We've been talking to Wayne and Manchester United and will do everything to help."

Rivals adidas produced a similar boot when David Beckham suffered the same injury prior to the 2002 World Cup.

And United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has already asked Nike to test the boot Rooney was showcasing at Chelsea last week to prove it wasn't to blame for the injury. Rooney has no chance of playing in England's group games but could be fit to play later in the tournament.

[Lucky*7*]

England to unveil World Cup squad 
 
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will on Monday name a provisional squad to take to this summer's World Cup.
The Swede will make his announcement at 1400 BST in London.

Eriksson can take 23 men to Germany and is expected to name a squad comprising that amount of players - with an extra three or four on a standby list.

Strikers Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen will be included but doubts over their fitness could see a shock call-up for Arsenal's 17-year-old Theo Walcott.

England assistant coach Tord Grip told BBC Sport that the squad had not yet been finalised.

Grip said he, Eriksson and goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence were due to meet at Soho Square at 1100 BST to confirm the squad, with coaches Sammy Lee and Steve McClaren, the future manager, joining in via telephone.

Owen and Rooney are recovering from broken metatarsal injuries and Walcott has emerged as a surprise candidate as a possible replacement.

The teenager is likely to be placed on standby with reports that Eriksson has watched him during visits to the Arsenal training ground where the Swede also ran the rule over defenders Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell.

Walcott has yet to make a first-team outing for the Gunners since his move to the club from Southampton in January but his cause has been championed by manager Arsene Wenger.

"If Sven calls me to ask should he take Walcott, I would not stop him doing that," said Wenger.

"Theo needs games at the moment but he has something very special. It would be a gamble, but he is an option."

Eriksson gave Rooney his England debut at 17, although he had played for former club Everton's first-team before becoming the country's youngest ever player.

Manchester United forward Rooney's chances of being fit for the World Cup in Germany appear to be slim, despite the 20-year-old spending sessions in an oxygen chamber to improve his chances of recovering from a broken foot.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is wary of Rooney being taken to the World Cup in the hope he will recover for the later stages and then being pressured into playing when not fully-fit.

"I think Wayne will be in the squad. I'd do the same if I was in Sven-Goran Eriksson's position," said Ferguson.

"Wayne is showing a great determination to try to get ready for the World Cup. We know it is a forlorn hope but we will give it a try.

"We will see how he gets on over the next few weeks. That's the important time for him."

Former England captain Bryan Robson has voiced his concerns about taking Rooney and told BBC Radio Four: "I think if he is not fit then what is the point of him going?

"You have other squad players who you know will be champing at the bit to impress and improve themselves at international level.

 
 We know it is a forlorn hope but we will give it a try

Ferguson on Rooney

"If Wayne Rooney is not fit then he should not go and should stay back in Manchester.

"But I think the manager should give him every chance right up to the last minute before making his decision as to whether he goes or not."

Owen raised concerns over the state of his fitness when he was not included in Newcastle's squad for their final game of the season against Chelsea.

He could now play a part in Alan Shearer's testimonial at St James' Park on Thursday as he bids to recover from his own foot injury.

"That will be left down to Michael completely now," said Newcastle caretaker-manager Glenn Roeder.

"If between the medical team and Michael, they thought there was any mileage in giving him a short run-out, that would happen.

"But if they didn't, he wouldn't take part. Michael wasn't on the bench because, exactly how he was after the game against Birmingham, he wasn't 100% happy with it.

"He's done some light training this week, but he's not 100% happy with it.

"There's still a dull ache there. It's nothing serious and he hasn't needed to visit the surgeon or have any more scans or X-rays since Sunday, and it's just a question now of being more patient and building him up.

"I'm sure there still is time for the World Cup, but with this injury now as far as Michael is concerned, I think you will have to take a weekly view of it rather than making long-term statements that can make you end up looking silly."

Eriksson's squad may have major worries in the striking department but the rest of his squad appears mostly to be the players he has kept faith during his five-year reign.

Central defender Ledley King is expected to be included, despite his foot injury, while the only other doubts are over whether he will include Aaron Lennon ahead of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Stewart Downing in place of Jermaine Jenas.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Probable squad: Robinson, James, Green; G Neville, King, Campbell, R Ferdinand, Terry, Carragher, A Cole, Bridge; Beckham, Wright-Phillips, Gerrard, Lampard, Carrick, J Cole, Downing; Rooney, Owen, Crouch, Defoe, Bent.
Stand-by: Carson, Hargreaves, Lennon, Walcott.
 

[Lucky*7*]

Crouch is key man now - Peacock 
By Philip Gordos 

Peter Crouch is being tipped to play a leading role for England in the World Cup if fellow striker Wayne Rooney fails to recover from a broken foot.

Gavin Peacock, who played with Crouch at QPR, thinks his former team-mate could prove to be a big hit in Germany.

"Crouch is becoming a big player for England now," Peacock told BBC Sport.

"He's not an out-an-out goalscorer, as we all know, but he can hold the ball up and bring people in. What he needs to work on is his heading at goal."

Crouch, 25, has been much-maligned in his career to date and was jeered by England fans during the World Cup qualifier against Poland last October.

But he will certainly be named in Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for this summer's World Cup when it is named on Monday.

Crouch silenced some of his critics by scoring and setting up the winner for Joe Cole in the 2-1 victory over Uruguay in March.

And the 6ft 7in frontman, who played for QPR, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Norwich and Southampton, before his £7m move to Liverpool in July 2005, has his supporters, notably Peacock.


"He's a good player," said the former Chelsea and Newcastle midfielder.

"I played him with him at QPR early on his career and remember my first training session with him.

"I suddenly saw this tall bloke who was wafer thin.

"But Gerry Francis, who had him at Tottenham and knew all about him, told me he had great feet. He could certainly do stuff with the ball that I couldn't do."

Peacock says Crouch could play either a lone role up front for England or alongside Michael Owen if he is fit. "I can see one option being Crouch up front on his own," explained Peacock.

"I'd play Ledley King in front of the back four with Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard just in front of him and David Beckham and Joe Cole on the flanks.

"That would give Lampard and Gerrard, who have both got close to 20 goals this season, the freedom to link up with Crouch when we were going forward.

"But if Michael Owen is fit then I'd play Owen and Crouch up front. Owen needs someone alongside him, someone to hold the ball up."

Crouch has scored 12 times for Liverpool this season and found the net once in three games for England.

But Peacock feels there is more to come from the Macclesfield-born forward, especially if he works on his heading.

"If I was him I would be out there for 30 minutes every day getting someone to cross the ball and practising my heading," said Peacock. "That would make a real difference."
 

[part time angel]

Provisional squad:
Robinson (Tottenham), James (Manchester City), Green (Norwich); G Neville (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), Cole (Arsenal), Campbell (Arsenal), Carragher (Liverpool), Bridge (Chelsea), Beckham (Real Madrid), Carrick (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Tottenham), Downing (Middlesbrough), J Cole (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Rooney (Manchester United), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Walcott (Arsenal).

Standby:
Carson (Liverpool), Young (Charlton), Reo-Coker (West Ham), Defoe (Tottenham), Johnson (Crystal Palace).



cnt believe wes brown isnt on it