Roon for Wayne

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney will be named in England's provisional World Cup squad - but still thinks the striker will miss the summer showpiece.

Rooney is currently in the early stages of his recovery from a fractured toe on his right foot, with the Man U manager mindful of the pressure on the 20-year-old to try and feature in Germany.

Fergie said: "I think Wayne will be in the squad. I'd do the same if I was in Sven-Goran Eriksson's position.

"Wayne is showing a great determination to try to get ready for the World Cup. We know it is a forlorn hope, but we will give it a try.

"We will see how he gets on over the next few weeks. That's the important time for him.

"He is in the oxygen chamber twice a day and showing great dedication to do it because it is not the best thing to sit in.

"What is needed here is a realistic approach and that is what he will get from Manchester United when the time comes to assess his readiness for an elite competition involving the best players in the world.

"Wayne is young and it would be easy to persuade him to play despite not being fully fit.

"For the sake of the boy and the rest of the England team we will do everything possible to get him fit.

"But I am not going to go along with this half-baked idea of him going to Germany 80 per cent fit, then find him being pressurised into playing before he is ready."