Rooney 'close to return'
Rooney was thought to be out for at least another few weeks
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Tuesday, 11, Sep 2007 06:06
Wayne Rooney could be a matter of days away from a first-team return for Manchester United after being told he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a broken metatarsal, according to reports.
The England striker may be named on the bench for Saturday's match against his former club Everton at Goodison Park, despite an initial prognosis last month that he would be out until October.
Rooney suffered a third broken metatarsal in three years when he clashed with Reading defender Michael Duberry in the season-opener at Old Trafford a month ago.
He also sustained similar injuries while on England duty at the European Championship finals in 2004 and playing for United in the run-up to the World Cup last year.
However, the medical expert who assessed Rooney's injury prior to the 2006 international tournament, Professor Chris Moran, warned that the striker "must be held back" from returning too early or he could risk a relapse.
"Wayne is a fit, young lad and is very, very keen to return as he lives to play football," he said.
"But players must be held back to stop themselves causing more damage. If you come back too early, there's a risk of re-fracturing and having a setback.
"Full-blooded and combative players are more likely to get injured but Wayne's been very unlucky to have three."
If Rooney is able to make a full recovery and prove his fitness with his club side, it would be a major boost to England manager Steve McClaren who is currently short of options up front ahead of crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers.
England face Russia on Wednesday at Wembley, with another home match against Estonia next month before the rematch with the Russians in Moscow on October 17th.