By Adam Marshall


Sven Goran Eriksson is refusing to get carried away with Wayne
Rooney's return to training, until a scan on Wednesday reveals
whether his broken foot has healed.

The England striker is flying back to Manchester for the final
examinations but was involved in a light work-out in Baden-Baden on
Tuesday, kicking the ball and putting pressure on the troublesome
metatarsal.

Eriksson did not want to speak too much about the Manchester United
star but was faced with the usual barrage of questions about the 20-
year-old at the press conference.

"I think there's been said so much about Rooney, let's wait until
tomorrow afternoon or Thursday morning," pleaded the Swede on Sky
Sports News.

"I think he looks very good. I don't really have any other news about
him. Let's wait as, very soon, we will know what is going to happen
about him.

"He looks okay, very good I would say, but let the surgeons and
specialists have their say tomorrow. He's good and that's it.

"Thursday morning, maybe at the latest, I suppose. I know it's big
news and he's a big football player but let's wait until tomorrow. I
will take a decision after that, of course, we'll see what's going to
happen.

"I think it's totally up to the surgeons, specialists and doctors,"
he stated. "I can't judge it and always said I think he will be
available.

"I always told you he will take part in the World Cup and I still
believe it - very, very strongly. That's it."

Eriksson explained that he has had a chat with Jermain Defoe, who
will need to be sent home if Rooney is given the all-clear to return
to Germany.

"I've had a word with all the stand-by players," he revealed. "I
think Jermain Defoe is happy to be here. Of course, if I have to tell
him to leave, it's not a nice conversation to have with him but he's
been very good and in good shape.

"They've all been extremely professional and come from Barbados and
Dubai. I don't know if their wives are not very happy with me but
they accepted it and were very, very good."