Rooney is match fit but will not start, says Eriksson
15/6/2006 15:34
England manager Sven Goran Eriksson claimed yesterday that Wayne Rooney is
match fit but he will not start against Trinidad & Tobago.
The England
striker could come off the substitutes' bench to make his first-ever appearance
at the World Cup finals but Eriksson has yet to make that decision.
The Swede
was quick to dismiss suggestions that he has argued with FA chief executive
Brian Barwick over the availability of the Manchester United star, who fractured
his metatarsal against Chelsea in April.
"For me, Rooney is match fit and let
me sleep on it," explained Eriksson.
"I will decide tomorrow morning. I think
he's match fit.
"It's been reported that Brian (Barwick) and I had a row
about it.That's completely a lie.
"We have discussed it all in a positive way
- absolutely no disputes at all. Please, that's it.
"After the match
tomorrow, I will talk about that situation. I don't think it's fair to do it in
front of the team, the squad as the matchday is tomorrow.
"Let me sleep on
it. For me, he's match fit.
"Almost for sure, he's not starting the match. I
don't think he has 90 minutes in his legs yet," he added.
Xinhua News
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