Rooney gets the green light

[vtfan99]

BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5057514.stm)

[slipperydave]

"The BBC understands" - This says he boarded the flight but doesn't say he's playing though. Best to wait until something official comes out.

[acricketer]

"Football Association executive director David Davies had a broad grin as he left hospital with Rooney before they drove to Manchester Airport."

That's sort of official!

[zyzfr1]

"Football Association executive director David Davies had a broad grin as he left hospital with Rooney before they drove to Manchester Airport."

That's sort of official!

Looks like Ronney won the fight at the end...

[slipperydave]

"Football Association executive director David Davies had a broad grin as he left hospital with Rooney before they drove to Manchester Airport."

That's sort of official!
Maybe he had a bet he wouldn't make it;)

[vtfan99]

Not sure why an official statement hasn't been released yet, especially with all the press about him being aboard the plane. They have to know that many people across the globe are awaiting word with baited breath.

[funkdoctorspock]

hopefully England doesn't rush him back... as much as I want to see him play in WC, I'm more considered for his health with United... and England has got the firepower to do well in group stages... rest Rooney and bring him out in the quarters... :D

[west501]

Maybe he had a bet he wouldn't make it;)

oh that's cruel :p
the key is to wait for the official announcement and see when he can start training
even if he starts training tomorrow he won't be fit for the second round, given england make it
paraguay can beat england (or at least hold them scoreless) without too much trouble, mark my words
so can sweden
if england face germany in the second round sans rooney: it's all over
they have a better chance against poland or ecuador, but certainly no guarantees
the quarterfinals were my original prediction for england with rooney but with or without him they won't pass
it'll be fun to watch him, even if he's half-fit for one game
great player

[staggerlee]

if england face germany in the second round sans rooney: it's all over


Gah! What strange opinion is this? Ballack himself is doubting Germany's credentials: http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup2006/story/0,,1792500,00.html
and to suggest that without Rooney we can't beat Germany is an insult to the very fine footballers that exist within the English team. Now I'm not saying we would beat them per se, but your dismissal looks a little bit short-sighted and knee-jerk to say the least. You don't think Gerrard, Lampard, Crouch and Owen could poke a goal or two past Germany? All over? All to play for if you ask me. Even without Rooney we have solid talent in every position.

[Unregistered]

this is a mistake. there is no way he'll be even close to fully fit. Sven might have made the second biggest mistake of his career. First was calling Walcott.

[west501]

Gah! What strange opinion is this? Ballack himself is doubting Germany's credentials: http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup2006/story/0,,1792500,00.html
and to suggest that without Rooney we can't beat Germany is an insult to the very fine footballers that exist within the English team. Now I'm not saying we would beat them per se, but your dismissal looks a little bit short-sighted and knee-jerk to say the least. You don't think Gerrard, Lampard, Crouch and Owen could poke a goal or two past Germany? All over? All to play for if you ask me. Even without Rooney we have solid talent in every position.

I am of the opinion that germany will be next to unstoppable at home (see world cup 1974 when they lost to no non-german team lol)
face it, their first match is target practise and with or without ballack they should win by a few and only gain confidence against their first round opponents
the boost of confidence plus a fit ballack for the second round will put them through to the last 8 at the very least no matter who they face and not detracting from england's team
if england qualify for the second round they'd do best to avoid germany at all costs

[staggerlee]

this is a mistake. there is no way he'll be even close to fully fit. Sven might have made the second biggest mistake of his career. First was calling Walcott.

There's only one reason why a Sweden supporter should be worried by this news mate! ;)

[Unregistered]

There's only one reason why a Sweden supporter should be worried by this news mate! ;)

there are only 3 swedish things I support: metal bands, chicks and weather. ;)