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Rooney World Cup hopes still alive

June 14 scan will decide United star's fate

LONDON, England -- Wayne Rooney's chances of playing in the World Cup finals remained in the balance on Friday after the results of a scan revealed that he could resume full training in just under three weeks.

The Manchester United star will undergo a further scan on June 14, five days after the start of the finals in Germany.

But he will fly out to Germany on June 5 with the rest of the England squad, the FA announced on Friday.

"This is very encouraging news," England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said.

"I'm looking forward to Wayne joining up with the rest of the squad on Sunday. The fact that he is flying out to Germany with us will give everyone a huge lift.

"We're still hoping that the second scan will show further improvement and that Wayne can play his part in the World Cup."

Eriksson denied speculation that Rooney's recovery had caused 'club v country' friction with United, whose manager Alex Ferguson has been cautious about the striker's Cup chances.

Rumors increased after the abrupt departure this week of United team doctor Mike Stone.

Eriksson said: "I spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson today and we had a really good conversation.

"Despite all the speculation, there has been a very positive dialogue with Manchester United all along.

"We are very grateful for the support that they have given Wayne and the England team."

Ferguson remains cautious about a player who has cost the club nearly 30 million pounds ($56 million) and is fundamental to their future.

"We are praying and hoping (that he can go). We have said all along that we will get him there, somehow, and that we would do our very best and that's what we are doing," Ferguson told United's MUTV station.

Dangerous area

"Because he is young he doesn't feel any pain and this is a dangerous area because the scan quite clearly shows the fracture has not healed.

"We have to tread carefully and hopefully we will get there."

If Rooney was then given the all-clear to resume full training, he would have barely a week to get himself fit for a potential last 16 knockout game.

The star striker was injured in a Premier League match at Chelsea on April 29.

Thursday's second scan followed weeks of anxious speculation about Rooney's chances of joining the squad in Germany, where England are bidding for their first major trophy since winning the World Cup in 1966.

England kick off their Group B matches against Paraguay in Frankfurt on June 10. They also face Trinidad & Tobago in Nuremberg on June 15 and Sweden in Cologne on June 20.

Rooney became the youngest England international as a 17-year--old in 2003 and outstanding displays for his country have seen him become a vital member of Eriksson's team.

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