Rooney is 'injury free': Eriksson

Sven-Goran Eriksson today insisted Wayne Rooney is “injury free” and now just needs to obtain match fitness before he plays in the World Cup.

The England coach declared the final decision on when the Manchester United striker can play in Germany will be “Rooney’s and mine” after the player’s club stated that independent medical opinion pointed to him not being ready to play until after the group stage.

Rooney joined in training with the rest of the squad in Baden-Baden this morning after undergoing a scan on his broken metatarsal in Manchester yesterday.

United said last night that the 20-year-old “will require very careful assessment in order to address his suitability” to play.

However, Eriksson said today: “The good news from yesterday evening and today is Rooney has no more injury.

“He is injury free and it is up to us now to get him match-fit and when we think he is match-fit I am prepared to take him to any specialist we or Manchester United want to take him to.”