England's head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson declared on Thursday that star striker Wayne Rooney is "injury free" and ready for the FIFA 2006 World Cup. "The good news from yesterday evening is that Rooney has no more injury - he is injury free," Sven Goran Eriksson said in a statement to the media. Eriksson said the 20-year-old goal machine will need to work hard to regain his place in England's starting line-up and encouraged all involved parties to support him. "Now it is up to us to get him (Rooney) match fit and I am prepared to take in any specialist we, or Manchester United, want to take in." Manchester United had issued a statement clearing the player to play in the World Cup knockout stages but only after being examined. "The expert independent medical view is that Wayne has a good chance of being fit after the group stage. "His participation in the tournament will require very careful assessment in order to address his suitability, as he will not have had the opportunity to play in less demanding games," the club said in a statement on its official website. Eriksson's response came out blunt in his prepared statement. "I'm prepared to listen to everyone and discuss Rooney with them. But the last say in this story is Rooney's and mine," the bullish Swede said. Eriksson's announcement was emotional as he reached out to the millions of football-crazed English fans. "I'm doing this in the best interests of Rooney, the England team and 40 million England fans," he said. "I'm responsible for it and I don't want any more discussions about Rooney until I tell you I think he's match fit." Rooney took part in full training session with his national teammates on Thursday. England kick-off their Group B matches by facing Paraguay on Saturday before playing Trinidad and Tobago on June 15th and Sweden on June 20th.
