By Scott Dougal, PA Sport



Everton manager David Moyes has backed Sir Alex Ferguson's attempts
to protect Wayne Rooney from too much World Cup pressure.

The Manchester United and England striker is the subject of intense
speculation after breaking a metatarsal against Chelsea at the
weekend.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will pick Rooney even if he only
recovers in time to play in the final while Ferguson claims it is "a
wild dream" to suppose the 20-year-old will be fit, although he
stressed that United will do all in their power to help him recover
in time.

Moyes told the League Managers Association website: "Sir Alex
realises that everybody thinks that England's hopes are on Wayne and
he doesn't need that, it's too much for a boy so young, all be it he
is a fantastic talent."

The Everton manager is in a similar situation with Tim Cahill, who is
wanted by Australia to play in Germany this summer even though he is
still recovering from a knee ligament injury.

Moyes said: "The clubs are the people who pay their wages and need
them to start the season.

"If Manchester United don't have Wayne Rooney at the start of next
season and we don't have Tom Cahill at the start of next season that
will be a big blow to our ambitions to do well.

"We have to look after our own interests and nothing would please me
more than for both players to go and play in the World Cup, but from
my point of view I have to be selfish and from Tim Cahill's point of
view I have to make sure that he's right before he's going anywhere."

Moyes did back two of his players to make Eriksson's squad - Phil
Neville and James Beattie, who is back in contention in the wake of
Rooney's problems.

"I think James certainly wouldn't let anybody down," said Moyes.

"He'd be very keen to have a go and I think if he was given an
opportunity he'd love to, like you'd expect from an Englishman. So
James would be ready if the call came."

He added: "I'd be surprised if Phil doesn't go to the World Cup
because everybody knows the level of professionalism that he has,
everybody knows his versatility which would become vital in the World
Cup especially with the possibility of maybe taking too many players
with fitness doubts."