MUFC
19-06-2006, 07:47 AM
Wayne Rooney has been given the nod to start England's final group game with Sweden on Tuesday.
The Manchester United star returned to action against Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday, just 47 days after fracturing a metatarsal against Chelsea, and his cameo set pulses racing.
With Michael Owen producing a couple of lacklustre displays, England manager Sven Goran Eriksson was left to mull over his team selection for a game The Three Lions will want to avoid defeat in.
And it would appear as if the Swede will go for the jugular against his home nation as he has confirmed Rooney will start the game in Cologne.
"The medical people say he can play more than 45 minutes, so if that is the case then it is better he starts," Eriksson told ITV1.
Eriksson has been thrilled by the return of Rooney, as he believes the youngster adds an extra dimension to the side.
"He is very important, of course," added Eriksson. "He is a fantastic player, he is that type of link player between strikers and midfield which we really need.
"We saw when he came on, that maybe he's not 100 percent but he kept the ball up there did some clever movements and clever passes."
A win or draw on Tuesday will secure England top spot in Group B, a position which in all probability will see The Three Lions avoid host nation Germany in the second round.
It seems likely that Owen will partner Rooney in attack, as Peter Crouch is carrying a card into the game and a booking against Sweden would rule the giant Liverpool striker out of the second round.
The Manchester United star returned to action against Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday, just 47 days after fracturing a metatarsal against Chelsea, and his cameo set pulses racing.
With Michael Owen producing a couple of lacklustre displays, England manager Sven Goran Eriksson was left to mull over his team selection for a game The Three Lions will want to avoid defeat in.
And it would appear as if the Swede will go for the jugular against his home nation as he has confirmed Rooney will start the game in Cologne.
"The medical people say he can play more than 45 minutes, so if that is the case then it is better he starts," Eriksson told ITV1.
Eriksson has been thrilled by the return of Rooney, as he believes the youngster adds an extra dimension to the side.
"He is very important, of course," added Eriksson. "He is a fantastic player, he is that type of link player between strikers and midfield which we really need.
"We saw when he came on, that maybe he's not 100 percent but he kept the ball up there did some clever movements and clever passes."
A win or draw on Tuesday will secure England top spot in Group B, a position which in all probability will see The Three Lions avoid host nation Germany in the second round.
It seems likely that Owen will partner Rooney in attack, as Peter Crouch is carrying a card into the game and a booking against Sweden would rule the giant Liverpool striker out of the second round.