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« on: May 02, 2006, 08:36:32 PM »
Rooney hangs on to World Cup hope
bbc.co.uk
The same injury ended Rooney's Euro 2004 campaign in Portugal
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has not given up hope that he may play a part for England at the World Cup.
Rooney, 20, broke a bone in his foot against Chelsea and, although he is likely to miss England's group games, he could be fit for the latter stages.
"You've just got to get on with it and be positive," Rooney told MUTV.
"But I'm in great hands at United and I know with the physio team I've got behind me here that they'll be able to give me the best possible chance."
Rooney broke a metatarsal bone in his right foot when he was tackled by Paulo Ferreira during Saturday's 3-0 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
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"I'm obviously devastated to have broken my foot at this moment in time, it really is horrible," he said.
"I'll be coming in for treatment every day and trying to give myself the best possible chance."
United's medical staff are in charge of Rooney's treatment and England's team doctors are liaising with them over the forward's fitness.
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England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has to name his 23-man squad for Germany on 15 May but will announce a provisional squad on 8 May.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is wary of building up expectations Rooney could overcome his injury in time to play in Germany this summer.
Ferguson appears to have been angered by Eriksson's claim that Rooney will be taken to Germany even if there is an outside chance he may figure if England advance through to the knockout stages.
England's first group game at the World Cup is against Paraguay on 10 June.
The injury is the same one that ended Rooney's Euro 2004 campaign in Portugal.