May 27, 2006	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 28, 1427

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LONDON, May 26: Striker Wayne Rooney will miss the start of England's World Cup campaign with a broken right foot but could be back in training within three weeks.

Manchester United said on Friday a scan showed Rooney's metatarsal break was healing as expected and another scan on June 14 could clear the way for the 20-year-old to start training.

England open their Group B campaign on June 10 against Paraguay and finish against Sweden on June 20. If they qualify, their second round match would be on June 24 or 25.

“His injury is progressing as expected and we now hope to gradually increase his rehabilitation as planned,” United said in a statement.

“A further CT scan will be performed in Manchester on 14 June to assess further his recovery and a decision will then be made as to whether he can begin training.”

Rooney has been vital to England's attack since becoming the youngest player to play for his country as a 17-year-old in 2003. He became its youngest scorer later that year in a Euro 2004 qualifier.

The prospect of Rooney training was welcomed by England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson. The Football Association said Rooney would fly to Germany with the rest of the squad on June 5.

“This is very encouraging news,” Eriksson said in a statement. “The fact that he is flying out to Germany with us will give everyone a huge lift.

“We're still hoping that the second scan will show further improvement and that Wayne can play his part in the World Cup.”

Under FIFA rules, the Swede can replace Rooney in the squad up to 24 hours before the Paraguay game. Rooney was injured in a Premier League match at Chelsea on April 29.

Eriksson denied speculation that Rooney's recovery had caused 'club v country' friction with United, whose manager Alex Ferguson has been cautious about the striker's Cup chances.

Rumours increased after the abrupt departure this week of United team doctor Mike Stone.

Eriksson said: “I spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson today and we had a really good conversation. Despite all the speculation, there has been a very positive dialogue with Manchester United all along”.

Eriksson's first alternative would be the towering Peter Crouch, who had a run-out as Michael Owen's strike partner in England B's 2-1 defeat by Belarus on Thursday.

Owen, himself short of match fitness after breaking a metatarsal on Dec. 31, could also be partnered by Chelsea flair-player Joe Cole or Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

A less likely alternative is 17-year-old forward Theo Walcott. He got half an hour against Belarus but has yet to play for Arsenal's first team since joining in January.—Reuters