We have to plan for Rooney not being available, warns Neville
Wayne Rooney's growing optimism that he will be fit for the
World Cup is not matched elsewhere at Manchester United, with
the club sending a message to Sven-Goran Eriksson over the
weekend that they remain sceptical about him playing any part
until the quarter-finals at the earliest. He has made progress
but United are bemused by reports that he may play in the
opening group match against Paraguay on June 10 and Gary
Neville, his colleague for club and country, said last night
that it was time England planned for being without him.
Neville, who has experienced what it is like to miss a World Cup
through a broken metatarsal, was certainly not talking as though
he had inside knowledge from Old Trafford that Rooney had been
touched by the "miracle" that Eriksson had thought was needed.
"It would be great if we get Wayne back at some point but let's
not overlook he's got to come back from a broken bone in his
foot," said Neville. "We shouldn't under