Man United boss Ferguson downplays Rooney injury

(GSM) – Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has played down fears regarding England striker Wayne Rooney’s fitness ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

The United star limped out of the action 13 minutes from the end of this afternoon’s 4-0 win over Stoke City, which sparked immediate fears about his availability ahead of Fabio Capello’s provisional squad, to be announced on Tuesday.

While, confirming Rooney had aggravated a groin injury that first surfaced at Blackburn Robers last month, Ferguson stressed that he was not too concerned about the 24-year-old.

“He has aggravated his groin again,” said Ferguson. “I don’t think it is serious. I think he will be OK for England.”

Under such circumstances, even if he is willing to play, Capello would not want to risk Rooney on the difficult Wembley surface when England tackle Mexico on May 24.

That would give him three weeks to get fit for the final friendly against Japan in Austria, and then almost two more before England open their Group C campaign against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.