Saturday May 13 2006

The latest update on Wayne Rooney's injury has been described
as "very, very positive" by England team doctor Leif Sward.

Manchester United striker Rooney was on Friday seen riding a bike
around the club's Carrington training ground as he bids to recover
from breaking the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot. Just two
weeks after being carried off on a stretcher during United's loss to
Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Rooney has raised hopes he could be fit
in time to play a part in the World Cup.

"I just talked to the doctors in Manchester and the report they gave
me was very, very positive," said Sward. "I don't want to say so much
because we have decided Manchester United's medical team, with Mike
Stone in charge, will work with Rooney's recovery. I can say they
have done a tremendous job with Wayne. And I can say I am very glad
for this latest report. Wayne's progress is very positive."

England's first group game against Paraguay is now under a month
away, but coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is keeping his fingers crossed
Rooney will be ready for the latter stages of the tournament.

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