Wayne Rooney may be back ahead of time
Wayne Rooney, the talismanic Manchester United striker has been sidelined for at least 3 weeks, following a reoccurrence of an ankle injury. But the latest reports suggest that Rooney may be back ahead of time to be part of England
team for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro on Tuesday 12th of October.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Rooney has been doing well in recovery, and may be back quicker than expected. He added that the striker is targeting England’s 3rd Euro qualifier and should
be able to make it in time.
Rooney was substituted in the Premier League match against Bolton which United drew 2-2. After being withdrawn from action Rooney could be seen putting ice to his left ankle, at first it was not believed to be serious at all. However
tests later revealed that it was more serious than first anticipated.
Wayne would not be part of the team, when United take on Sunderland on Saturday at the Stadium of Light. Red Devils manager Sir Alex said that Wayne has been insisting on playing in Saturday’s match but he would not want to risk
him. United boss added that Rooney trained with the team on Thursday and said that he is feeling good enough to be back in the team.
"Wayne trained on Thursday and he wants to play on Saturday," said Ferguson. "But I have to take the view that this injury has been niggling away for a while and he kept on playing.
"I have to be dead sure that I am doing the right thing because Wayne has not been doing himself justice. I think in a week he will be fine. Obviously we don't play in a week, so it is up to [England boss] Fabio Capello whether
he wants him to.
"The Montenegro match is another 10 days away and by that time I would expect Wayne to be 100%."
The news of Wayne being fit for the international tie should be a welcome one for England manager Fabio Capello. The Italian already has number of injury worries ahead of the game, Frank Lampard the Chelsea midfielder is still
out with a hamstring problem, Theo Walcott the Arsenal winger was stretchered off in the last qualifier. The other favoured striker for England Jermain Defoe is also out recovering from the hernia operation and Bobby Zamora from Fulham is also on the injury
list.
As the news broke that Rooney and Defoe both may not be able to feature in the match against Montenegro, Newcastle’s young budding striker Andy Carroll was being tipped as the replacement and chances of him getting his first international
cap were quite high. Carroll was also not selected for the under 21 England team by Stuart Pierce which may suggest that he would be called up for the Euro Qualifier by Capello.
The injury may be the worst thing that could have happened to Wayne Rooney at this stage. He has not been able to find his touch this season, and has looked a shadow of himself. After scoring 34 goals last season, Rooney was at
best mediocre in first 5 matches of the league. His best performance this season came for England in the 2 Euro 2012 qualifiers.
Media allegations involving his personal life did not help either, News of the World had revealed that Rooney was involved with a well known prostitute while his wife was pregnant with their first child.
Ferguson admitted that his front man had been distracted by the off field issues, and maybe the time off from the game would help him come back with a new mindset.
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