[Joe]

The England manager is now hugely confident that Wayne Rooney will be fit to play for England at the World Cup.

The Manchester United and England striker has stepped up training and has been kicking the ball with both feet showing that the fracture is healing quicker than first anticipated.

"I think he looks very good - but let the surgeons and the specialists have their say tomorrow," said Eriksson.

"Very soon we will know what is going to happen about him but I have always said I think he will be ready."

Although kicking the ball has given the media and fans hope that their star man will be fit for Germany the real test will come when he takes his first real physical challenge.

David Beckham and Gary Neville have both suffered from the same injury with Neville missing out on the 2002 competition because of it.

Neville spoke about his Manchester United team mate, “I was taken to the specialist thinking I would be given the all-clear but it wasn't to be and it is not always what you think."

"I was jogging prior to my scan but I was told I had to have an operation four days later.

"I hope that doesn't happen to Wayne but until the surgeons meet tomorrow I don't think anyone knows for sure.

"It is encouraging but sometimes it is not always how it appears."

He asked the fans and the media to be calm and continued, “He has not trained for five or six weeks.

"The lad has had a broken foot, leave him alone - the medical people will make the decision."

[God]

Sven's got to be careful here.

Too quick and he may break down during a game. I am worried in if England don't beat Paraguay he'll rush Rooney back and blow any chance he has of being there for the latter stages.

I say wait until he is 100%.

Wayne isn't the type to back out of a 50/50 either which makes the likelyhood of worsening a slight injury.