ENGLAND captain David Beckham has warned Wayne Rooney not to risk his long-term future by rushing his return from injury. Beckham said it would be a major blow if Rooney failed to recover from his broken foot in time for the World Cup. But he told the Sunday Times newspaper: "Wayne's one of the best, if not the best, in our team. Of course we'd rather have Wayne in our team. "But he can't take risks. He's a young player with a huge future." Rooney stepped up his training this week -- cycling at Manchester United's Carrington training ground -- and his club doctor said the 20-year-old was taking positive steps on his road to recovery. But Beckham warned his international team-mate still needed "to be careful. "He's got to make sure he's fit and that he's not going to go and crack it again," said the Real Madrid midfielder. "I know what Wayne's like. He'll want to be there -- he'll be wanting to be playing straight away. But I do think the important part is for him to get fit. He has to look after himself. If he's not right, he can't take risks." Beckham was criticised after the last World Cup for playing despite fully recovering from a similar injury to that of Rooney's. He defended his decision to play at the 2002 tournament but said that, regardless of whether Rooney was fit, England would arrive with the "most confident team" he has ever known. "There's a lot been said about it (Wayne's injury) and the team has to concentrate, of course," he said. "But we have got other great players -- world class players." Chosen few TWENTY-three referees from 21 countries will officiate at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The decision was reached by the FIFA Referees Committee in early May after closely evaluating and analysing the test results of 80 assistant referees at a workshop in Frankfurt/Neu-Isenburg between 18 and 21 April. At a meeting on 31 March, the committee selected 23 referees from the 44 candidates who attended the workshop and completed a series of tests from 21 to 25 March. Twenty of these match officials will now be in charge of matches in Germany. The referees, who for the first time will have World Cup assistants from the same country or the same confederation, will be representing 21 countries. Italy and Mexico will be the only countries to have two referees in action in Germany. The support and development group, another World Cup first, will now consist of five referees and 10 assistants who will only step into the fray in the event of another match official being unable to take part for whatever reason, such as injury or illness. These 15 match officials will be ready to spring into action at any time. The refereeing trios will arrive in Germany on 26 May. All match officials will be required to undergo further tests before the World Cup gets under way. FIFA will announce the identity of the refereeing trio for each of the 64 matches in advance. New shoes THE WORLD cup brings colour to the game like no other event and the 2006 finals could yet prove the most vivid and vibrant tournament of all. This summer, the kaleidoscope of colour will be created not only by the players in their team kits and the countless fans following the 64 games inside the stadiums, but also by the footwear being sported by the tournament's stars. To explain, Adidas has devised an innovative idea for the 2006 World Cup, one which has involved the design of 32 individually-customised football boots for each of the participating nations. Every team at the tournament will receive their very own Adidas +F50 TUNIT 32 boots, proudly displaying national team colours as well as details and facts about the particular country. The German sportswear giant has also developed a unique variant of the +F50 TUNIT 32, which will be worn by a selected player from each team at the finals. The list of stars who will lace up the boots includes such illustrious names as Lionel Messi (Argentina), Ze Roberto (Brazil) and Lukas Podolski (Germany). "I am proud to have been supplied with these boots by Adidas," Podolski said. "It is an honour to have been selected. I am only 20 years old and I already have my own unique boots." The shoe of the German striker bears the Brandenburg Gate on the side, with the inscription 'Unity', evoking German unification in 1990. The heels feature three stars in German national colours, symbolising Germany's three previous World Cup triumphs, in 1954, 1974 and 1990. The black, red and gold heel lining will also bear the words 'Unity, justice and freedom' from the German national anthem. "It is special to have the words of the national anthem printed on the boot. It is fantastic," Podolski enthused, looking forward to his first FIFA World Cup appearance wearing the revolutionary footwear. Argentine prodigy Lionel Messi also showed his delight when presented with his personal +F50 TUNIT 32 boots. Messi's model bears Argentina's national colours as well as two stars representing his nation's two previous World Cup wins, in 1978 and 1986. "It is a wonderful souvenir for Argentina and will hopefully bring us luck at the World Cup," said Messi, who will be competing with Podolski and other young stars at the tournament for the coveted Gillette Best Young Player Award. The individual design and diversity of details, as well as the technological properties of the +F50 TUNIT 32, have captured the imagination of every one of the selected players ahead of Germany 2006. "The boots are beautiful," said Croatia midfielder Marko Babic. "I have been wearing Adidas for years and these are the best boots I have ever had. Each pair has its own colours for the World Cup. It is a great idea."
