England striker Wayne Rooney was cleared by doctors on Thursday to play in the World Cup.
His first World Cup appearance could come on Thursday afternoon, when England play Trinidad and Tobago. However, England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said he would only use Rooney as a substitute.
Two specialists, Angus Wallace and Chris Moran from the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, central England, examined Rooney hours before the 6pm local kick-off.
”Due to his positive attitude and approach and the care he has received, Wayne has made a more rapid recovery than initially anticipated,” Wallace and Moran said in a joint statement published on the Football Association’s website.
”The injury has healed and we are satisfied that he is as fit as he can be.”
The 20-year-old forward broke a bone in his right foot on April 29 playing for Manchester United. He has been training with the England squad since June 5.
The statement said the doctors had carried out a ”full risk assessment”, which indicated that Rooney was ”at no more risk than any other player who has recovered from an injury and is returning to competitive sport.
”It is our professional medical opinion that Wayne Rooney is now available to play in the World Cup.”
Eriksson said on Wednesday that Rooney was ”match fit” to play against Trinidad and Tobago, but the English FA got the independent advice from the doctors to appease Manchester United. — Sapa-AP